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BUCKELEW 



The Indian Captive 

-= OR 

The Life Story of F. m. Bucklew 
While a Captive Among the Lipan 
Indians in the Western Wilds 
of Frontier Texas 



AS RELATED BY HIMSELF 



Written by 

S. E. Banta 

author of a Number of Frontier Stories 



Printed by 
THE MASON HERAIJD 
Mason, Texas 



®o % insmorg of that brafc* banb t£ &zxm pioitm*, 
to fal|O0£ patience, tot! anb mhudtrg is bite ht 
H great itteasure tlje material greafatess anb 
prosperity of itje "?Ione Jliar Jltete" 
is bebicaieb tljw little fohtme. 

F, M. BUCKELEW. 



©CI.A297901 



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PREFACE 

Perhaps the lives of no set of men, living or 
dead, are filled with more thrilling adventures, 
and daring achievements than those of the Texas 
pioneer. 

History fails in its greatest effort, and in vain 
do we seek amidst the lives of the fabled gods 
and heroes of classical story and song for deeds 
of valor, and acts of unswerving devotion to duty, 
transcending those brave old heroes. No danger 
was too great, no war-path too bloody, no savage 
ambush too dangerous, no call to duty so hazard- 
ous, and no task so insurmountable as to check 
their magnificent strides of national development, 

Posterity fails to appreciate, indeed it seems 
difficult in the midst of modern complex civiliza- 
tion, where the strong arm of law bids defiance to 
the wholesale destruction of life and property, to 
rightly appreciate the noble sacrifice made by our 
fore-fathers, in driving back the cruel savage 
with his merciless tomahav/k, and midnight 
ambush, facing the dangers from wild beasts and 
savage men, and holding with relentless grasp for 



the pleasure and profit of posterity that priceless 
boon, the "Lone Star State." 

The father seldom left his cabin without en- 
tertaining fears for the safety of his loved ones, 
while they were equally aware of his danger. 

The sad fate of many settlers who returned 
to their homes only to find their cabin burned, 
their property destroyed or stolen and their loved 
ones murdered or carried away captive by some 
cruel band of savages, amply justified his fears. 

The life story of one of these pioneers, while 
a captive among the Indians in the wilds of Texas 
is the theme of this little volume which is re- 
spectfully offered to the reading public, with an 
earnest desire to preserve to posterity a portion, 
at least, of that great mass of unwritten history 
connected with the lives of these honored and 
distinguished sons of Texas. 

Well may posterity pause and with bared head 
and in admiration pay homage to these grand old 
heroes as one by one they pass us going to the 
4 silent bourn whence no traveler returns." 

Many, indeed, of this brave band have 
already answered to the last roll-call and may 
posterity never fail to show all honor to their 
memory. 

THE AUTHOR, 

Mason, Texas, July 3, 1911. 



Q 



CHAPTER L 



Moves to Texas. Death of his Parents, 
Goes to Live with Uncle on Sabinal, 
Their Trip. Description of 
New Home, 

Realizing that there is connected with the 
early history of Texas many interesting incidents, 
in which men and women yet living have played 
a leading part, and that this history, buried as it 
is only in the memory of those who survive, 
should in justice to these noble pioneers of more 
chivalrous days, be recorded, that the present as 
well as future generations may read, and know 
that their present, peaceful enjoyment of the 
bountiful increase and natural resources of "The 
Great West," was secured, and made possible to 
them only through the patient toil, and unswerv- 
ing devotion of their ancestors. The clarion voice 
of history, with its echoes of the past, fails to 
reveal to the searching mind, dazzling as they 
may appear, deeds of chivalry or acts of unself- 
ishness, equal in magnitude or more far reaching 



6 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



in their effects upon civilization, and national de- 
velopment than those common to the lives of the 
early settlers of Texas, 

The writer shall not hesitate, or offer an 
apology for presenting to the reading public this 
simple narrative of the life of one of these noble 
old pioneers who, in the face of adversity and 
misfortune, has survived the storms of the past, 
and yet lives, and stands in that gallant rank of 
heroes who have caused the past history of their 
great State to read as fiction. In the presentation 
of this narrative, but one desire actuates the 
author as well as the hero, and that is to present 
only a simple and absolutely true story of the life 
of Mr. Buckelew as patiently and carefully related 
by himself. No effort whatever will be made to 
blend fiction with the facts, but to state only those 
facts as they really occurred and, as nearly as 
possible, in the order of their occurrence. Our 
hero has long hesitated in presenting to the public 
his story as an Indian Captive, lest it be con- 
demned, like many Indian stories truly which are 
more fiction than truth, and cast aside as worth- 
less. It is upon the earnest solicitation of his 
many friends ^and relatives that he now consents 
to its publication, and upon the condition that 
only the true facts be given. 

I was born in Union parish, Louisiana, 
August 10, 1852, the youngest child in a family of * 
seven children. Like many settlers of the older 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



7 



and more thickly populated states, my parents 
decided to move to Texas, in the hope of securing 
more "elbow room, 7 ' a term often used by the 
earlier settlers. Accordingly, after due prepara- 
tions for a long and dangerous journey and every- 
thing was in readiness, we started on the long 
trip. 

Being only two years of age at the time of 
our move the impressions, if any, made upon my 
mind during this journey have entirely faded, and 
none of the incidents connected with it, which, 
no doubt, was interesting can here be given. The 
common experiences of all the early immigrants 
to Texas were shared by our family on this 
journey; also in the years intervening between 
their arrival in Texas to their death. After 
crossing Red River much of the fertile portion of 
the State, then undeveloped and waiting for the 
hand of industry, was passed over before a 
suitable location was chosen, which was in Cher- 
okee county. 

The first task confronting us was the erection 
of an open faced camp for the convenience of the 
family until a substantial house could be built. 
This necessarily required considerable time and 
labor, for as convenient a camp as possibe was 
prepared and a small farm cleared and prepared 
for cultivation before the work on the house was 
begun. The earliest impressions, and those re- 
maining on my mind were those made during our 



8 



Buckelew, the Indian Captive 



stay in this humble home. Those of that kind, 
patient and loving mother, under whose gentle 
care and influence, I began in life, are the most 
vivid and lasting, although I was at an early age 
bereft of her care. About two years after our 
arrival in Texas we were called upon to lay my 
mother to rest, and part, sadly part, with this, 
the only true, earthly friend of the child. In my 
life and career subsequent to this awful separation 
from my mother, the old saying that the lot of 
the orphan is hard indeed, has been amply dem- 
onstrated, and none others command more of my 
pity and sympathy than those who are orphaned of 
parental care and especially that of mother's. 
Many times during my life, while contemplating 
my own condition, and that of others equally un- 
fortunate, have I been caused to exclaim, "God 
pity the orphan child V 9 However, my condition 
was much more happy than many orphans, owing 
to the fact that I fell directly under the care and 
sweet influence of a loving sister much older than 
myself and whose kindly disposition and loving 
deeds have made a lasting impression upon my 
mind, and in a great measure have been a factor, 
in shaping my destiny. 

Shortly after his second marriage my father 
died, leaving us robbed entirely of parental care. 
Unpleasant relations existing between my sister 
and our step-mother, forced us to leave our home 
and seek more genial surroundings. About this 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 9 



time my sister received a letter from our uncle, 
Berry Buckelew, who came to Texas shortly after 
our arrival here, and who was then living on the 
Rio Sabinal in Bandera county, in which letter he 
offered to meet us at some convenient point and 
take us to his home, where he would be able to 
assist us in our efforts to secure a livelihood. After 
due reflection it was decided to accept his kindly 
offers, feeling sure that a move would not or could 
not worse our condition, but very probably better 
it. As soon as possible our intentions were made 
known to our uncle through a letter. By agree- 
ment we were to meet our uncle at a convenient 
point on the Colorado River where he would wait 
our coming and take us to our new home. 

Although a small boy, the old time ox wagon 
with its huge wheels and cumbrous appearance 
and the ox team consisting as it did of five strong 
oxen, with their yokes and bows were objects of 
no little interest to me, and the journey, though 
likely to be beset with many dangers and diffi- 
culties and little dreaming of the fate that 
awaited me, I welcomed it with the joy and pride 
of youth. It was no little undertaking in that 
early day to make a trip of several hundred miles 
across a country that was infested with wild men 
and savage animals, and a constant vigilance and 
a wariness, learned only in the stern school of 
frontier life, was necessary in order to conduct 
such a move without serious danger, and a like- 



10 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



lihood of the traveler, becoming the victim of the 
pitiless tomahawk or midnight ambush. Nothing 
of interest to the reader, however, occurred on our 
journey and in due time we arrived at the home 
of our uncle. 

The new home to which we were now wel- 
comed was unique, indeed. Just where that beau- 
tiful little mountain stream, the Rio Sabinal, issues 
from its picturesque canyons of almost perpen- 
dicular rock walls, to meander through rolling 
hills and grass-covered prairies, this home was 
situated. It was a typical frontier home, con- 
sisting of a large inclosure or yard in which was 
situated two log houses, built of hewn logs, one of 
which was used as a kitchen. It is, perhaps, 
known to the reader that at this date, the frontier 
of Texas lay to the east of this little river, and 
for many years after our arrival there it was almost 
continually in the path of the many roving bands of 
Indians on their way to the settlements in the east, 
and the settlers in that region were seldom free 
from fear that they might become the victims of 
these bands, which in many cases they did, and 
the father could never leave his home without 
feeling a constant dread lest his family would be 
attacked in his absence and murdered. But in 
spite of these fears it often became necessary for 
him to be absent for a short while. 

It was customary among the settlers in these 
remote frontier settlements to "take turn about, " 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 11 



in going to market for supplies, and when my 
uncle's turn came his oxen were driven up, and 
preparations made for his journey to San An- 
tonio, then the most suitable market for this 
section. And as the ancient cypress trees along 
the upper Medina River were being "riven" into 
shingles, and as there was a good market for such 
shingles in San Antonio, it was my uncle's custom 
to go by way of these shingle camps and load his 
wagon with them. His journey to San Antonio, 
which required several days, was made without 
incidents worthy of mention and his shingles were 
readily disposed of at the customary price. His 
next task was to purchase his goods and those 
wanted by his neighbors. These consisted chiefly 
of meal, flour, and sugar, besides a large quantity 
of calico and other dry goods. 

The return journey was then begun, and the 
greater portion of this was made in safety, until 
he reached the home of his friend and neighbor, 
Mr. Crossgrave, on the Big Saco. It was near 
noon when he reached this place and he was in- 
vited by his friend to stop over until the next 
morning. While enjoying the generous hospitality 
in the way of a well prepared dinner, he was told 
that from recent signs observed in the settlement 
it was evident that Indians were in the country. 
Alarmed at this news, my uncle at once made 
preparations to resume his journey, although the 
day was well advanced and in spite of his friend's 



12 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



protests, he at once started for his home. His 
friend plead with him to remain over night, as his 
journey lay over roughs and canyons, and in the 
region where he would most likely encounter the 
Indians. No persuasion, however, could induce 
him to remain over night, as he was alarmed by 
the helpless condition of his family during his 
absence. 

Two routes lay before him, the main traveled 
road and a nearer route across the roughs, and as 
his fears of the safety of his family increased as 
night came on he chose the shorter, though more 
dangerous route. About the time night overtook 
him and just as he was crossing one of the upper 
runs of the Little Saco, he was surprised and was 
fired upon by the savages in ambush. The savages 
had evidently been watching his movements for 
some time, and had planned their ambush with 
considerable care and precaution, as they always 
dreaded an open daylight encounter with the 
whites, even though they outnumbered them. 
Every indication pointed to the fact that he was 
endeavoring, after receiving the first shot, to reach 
his arms, two six shooters and a large rifle lying on 
the wagon seat when he received the fatal shot. 
Not content with taking his life, the pitiless friends 
rushed out from their place of concealment in the 
bluff of the ravine, and crushed his head with 
stones. When this was accomplished they next 
turned their attentionjto the team, three of the 



BUCKELSW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 13 



five yoke were unloosed, and allowed to go at will 
while the remaining two were left hitched to the 
wagon. They then began to pillage the load. The 
flour and meal were emptied out in a huge pile near 
the wagon, and the sacks, all of that part of the 
laod that was of any value to the savages, appro- 
priated to their use. All the calico and other dry 
goods were taken. This was Friday night. On 
Sunday morning, by some means it happened that 
Mr. Crossgrave came over to our place, and seeing 
that our uncle had not made his appearance, he at 
once realized that he must have fallen a victim to 
the Indians. He at once notified the nearest 
neighbors, and a party was organized for the 
purpose of finding their lost friend. The route 
chosen by my uncle being familiar only to him, the 
search was confined at first to the plain traveled 
road. At length the place where his wagon tracks 
left the main road was discovered and rapidly 
followed by the party. This soon led to his dis- 
covery and the sad fate that had befallen him. 

When found he was lying with his head in a 
pool of blood. The spark of life, which seemed 
loath to depart from him, had lingered until just 
before he was found, as warm blood gushed from 
his many wounds when removed from his prostrate 
position. His faithful dog, Cuff, who was his 
constant companion on such trips, by some fortu- 
nate means had escaped the arrows of the 
savages and was keeping a lonely vigil over his 



14 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN 'CAPTIVE 



master's body. The dog had so completely guarded 
the body that a large pack of wolves which had 
been trying to reach it had not succeeded in 
getting near. The oxen left hitched to the wagon 
had drawn it some distance from this point and 
had caught one wheel against a tree which pre- 
vented them straying further. 

The wagon was driven to a point as near as 
possible to the body and everything in the way of 
goods left by the Indians was placed in it. This 
completed, the body was placed in the wagon and 
as tenderly as possible it was conveyed to our 
home, where neighbors and friends met with 
relatives to pay the last measure of devotion and 
respect to their dead friend. A brave and gen- 
erous man had fallen among them, and one they 
could ill afford to lose. His body was laid to rest 
in a small cemetery near the banks of the Sabinal, 
being one among the first buried there. After 
murdering my uncle the party of savages pressed 
on in a southwest direction, where they surprised 
and captured two white men and a boy. 

The whites were in camp at the time the Red- 
skins came upon them and thinking they were 
only cow hunters allowed them to come up in 
close range before they were able to distinguish 
the difference. Although not certain that they 
were being surrounded by Indians the whites 
mounted their horses, to be in readiness should it 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 15 



prove to be Indians. The whites began a slow- 
retreat from their camp closely watching the ap- 
proaching party. Suddenly they were checked by 
hearing some one speak in rather good English, 
begging them to halt. Two of the party (one of 
the men and the boy) refused to heed the call but 
one of them stopped in order to make sure that 
they were not retreating before a party of white 
men. This delay gave the savages ample time to 
redouble their efforts and dash upon him before 
he had time to wheel his horse and escape. Re- 
alizing that flight would be useless and escape 
nearly if not impossible, he allowed the savages to 
overtake and capture him. Their first work was 
to strip him of his clothes. When this was com- 
pleted, one of the savages must have approached 
him with a sharp knife and severed the large vein 
in his neck. He was then released to die, and the 
savages taking his clothes pressed on in pursuit of 
the remainder of the whites. The wounded man, 
terrified and struggling for life, ran with all his 
might, the blood gushing from the wound at 
every step, to the nearest water, and when found 
he was lying dead with his face in the edge of 
the water. The Redskins were not long in over- 
taking the fleeing whites. Rut just as they were 
about to capture them the man wheeled off to one 
side, dashed off into the timber and escaped. The 
boy though not as fortunate as his companion was 
making a desperate effort when something, perhaps 



16 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



his excitement, caused him to leave his horse, and 
try his fortune on foot. His capture was now 
but a few moments work for the savages, who 
soon had him in their hands. Although no tidings 
were ever received from him it was a general 
belief among the people that he was carried off a 
captive to some remote Indian village where he 
was forced to spend a captive's life among them. 



CHAPTER II. 

Goes to Live with Mr. Davenport. Our new 
Home. My Capture. 

After my uncle's death it soon became evident 
to my aunt that it was necessary for her to leave 
the Old Cedar Brake Ranch, where she was living 
at the time of her husband's death, and move to a 
less dangerous locality where she would feel safer 
from attack by the Indians. Before his death our 
uncle had been looking after a large herd of cattle 
belonging to Mr. Davenport, and after his un- 
timely death it became necessary for Mr. Daven- 
port to move the cattle to his own ranch some 
distance up the Sabinal. 

Our aunt not being able to provide for my 
sisters and myself, and upon receiving an offer 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 17 



from Mr, Davenport to go and live with him, we 
moved to his home, It was agreed that in return ; 
for his kindness I was to help him in taking care 
of his stock as well as to assist in the general work 
on the ranch. Our new home, a typical western 
cow ranch, was situated near the banks of the 
Sabinal, well up in the beautiful little canyon, 
whose rock walls confine the little stream to a 
narrow channel South of the house some little 
distance lay the fertile little farm on which was 
grown feed for the saddle horses, and other stock 
that was kept near the ranch. To the west lay 
the cedar covered divides that separate the waters 
of the Frio and Sabinal Rivers. 

Among the first tasks given me by Mr. 
Davenport was breaking and planting the field and 
in this task I was assisted by Morris, a negro boy 
belonging to Mr. Davenport. The teams most 
commonly used in farm work at that time were 
oxen. A good strong yoke being turned over to 
us we began the work in earnest. Each night it 
was necessary to take our oxen some distance 
from the ranch to better grass where we would 
hobble and bell them in order to prevent their 
straying off. As Morris and I were the only boys 
on the ranch we naturally became good friends, 
and wherever one went the other, if possible, 
always accompanied him. 

Late one Saturday evening in April after our 
week's work was over Morris and I led our steers 



18 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



to the back of the field where there was a small 
open glade covered with tall green grass. It 
happened this time that Morris attended to the 
belling and hobbling of one of the steers, and by 
some means failed to securely fasten the bell 
collar, and as a result the bell was lost. The next 
morning when Mr. Davenport raturned from a 
search in the range he called us to him, and 
asked Morris about the bell. Although the negro 
plead his innocence, Mr. Davenport, greatly 
incensed at his carelessness, scolded him severely 
and told him if he did not find the bell that day 
he would "beat him to death." Mr. Davenport 
then rode off from the ranch to be gone the 
remainder of the day. 

To the negro who well knew the temper of 
his master, the finding of that bell, was by far 
the most important thing to be attended to. 
Morris at once began begging me to assist him in 
the search and although I felt it my duty, when 
Mr. Davenport was absent, to remain near the 
house as a partial protection for the women, at 
least in case they should be attacked by the 
Indians, I allowed the entreaties of the negro to 
overcome my better judgment and consented to 
accompany him, provided he would wait to begin 
his search until afternoon, to which he consented. 
Mr. Davenport had given me an old style muzzle- 
loading shotgun and cautioned me to never leave 
the house any distance without carrying it with 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 19 



me, as a means of protection against the Indians 
in case I was attacked by them. And so when 
Morris and I were about ready to start, I thought 
about my gun and Mr. Davenport's instructions 
and entered the house to secure it. When I had 
picked up the gun and started out with it I was 
stopped by Grandma Davenport who told me that 
I had better leave the gun that time as we were 
not likely to see any Indians and that I might be- 
come careless in handling the gun and kill Morris 
or myself with it. Not wishing to disobey her 
orders and feeling proud of being relieved of the 
clumsy old weapon I went on without it. 

I was now nearly fourteen years of age, an 
unusually strong, active boy for my age and size, 
and it was a constant source of amusement to 
Morris to see me turn hand-springs, and we seldom 
went along together without he insisted on me 
performing this juvenile trick. After I had per- 
formed some time for his amusemeut until I was 
somewhat tired from the exertion, I had him to 
try his hand at the same sport, and I shall never 
forget his clumsy, awkward efforts to imitate me. 
Being thus engaged in our childish sport, the 
distance from the house to the little glade in 
which the lost bell was supposed to be, was 
covered before we hardly realized that we had 
started. With the threat of Mr. Davenport ring- 
ing in his ears the negro at once began a close 
search for the bell. I assisted him in the search 



20 



BUCEELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



for some time but, child-like, I soon deserted him 
and began to stroll about the edge of the thicket 
bordering the little glade in search of flowers. It 
was not long until I caught sight of a beautiful 
redbud tree in full bloom and hastened to it in 
order to secure a bouquet to carry home to my 
sister. When I had finished securing my flowers 
and was preparing to join Morris, I was surprised 
to see several of Mr. Davenport's large steers dash 
out of the thicket near me and make for the house. 
Not yet realizing the imminent danger of my 
position, but having frequently been told that the 
presence and often only the scent of Indians would 
cause stampede among cattle, I called to Morris 
and told him that we had better be going toward 
home as it might be that Indians had scared the 
beeves. He only made sport of my fears, ridi- 
culing the idea of there being Indians near, 
replying that I should come at once and help him 
find the bell. I well remember his exact words: 
4 'Frank we must find that bell or Massa Bill will 
beat me to death when he comes home. ' ' By some 
means I was unable to banish the thought of 
Indians, and while I was preparing to leave the 
spot where I was standing some little noise in the 
thicket behind me caused me to turn my eyes 
in that direction when some object, that I was 
unable at first to distinguish, caught my eye. But 
a second glance convinced me that it was a man, 
and in all probability an Indian. Before I had 



BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 21 



fully decided what course to pursue I cast another 
glance at him and by this time I was able to see 
plainly that it was an Indian warrior. 

Horrified at the sight of this Indian dressed in 
garb of a warrior, I flew to the side of the unsus- 
pecting Morris, who w r as still busily engaged in 
hunting for the bell, and told him that I had seen 
an Indian in the thicket not far from where I w T as 
standing. Not waiting to make a reply, nor test 
the truth of my statement the frightened negro 
raised his head high in air, and with a yell of 
terror fled from me like the wind. When I first 
caught sight of the Indian he was crouched near 
the ground but as I returned my gaze I saw that 
he had partially raised himself and was resting 
one knee on the ground, and at the same time 
presenting his bow and arrow as if he was pre- 
paring to shoot. I started to follow the negro, 
and was making fair headway when a voice behind 
me caused me to check my speed, and look behind 
when I beheld, to my horror, an Indian advancing 
toward me with an arrow in his powerful bow, 
pointing it directly toward me. Realizing that 
further effort to escape at this time would be 
useless, and could only result in my death, I 
stopped in my tracks and turned my face toward 
him. When he realized that I was making no 
further effort to escape he assumed a more leisurely 
gait, and as he approached me, I noticed he was 
pointing in the direction of the negro and laughing 



22 BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



heartily in a manner characteristic to his race. 
This at once called my attention to Morris, and 
looking back over my shoulder, I caught my last 
glimpse of the terrified black as he sped like some 
frightened beast toward a place of safety. In his 
fright and terror he evidently thought that an 
Indian was just at his heels and ready at any 
moment to plunge an arrow into his back, for at 
almost every step he would throw his head to one 
side or the other while his hideous and distorted 
features betrayed the fear that was pushing him 
forward in his mad race for life. A period of 
over forty years has failed to erase from my 
memory the picture of this scared negro, and 
many times in recalling to my mind the exciting 
scenes of that day I can see Morris almost as plain 
as if he was actually running his race before me. 

"Ugh! Ugh!" Exclaimed the savage, as he 
approaced me. 

He raised his bow high in air and waived it 
severel times at Morris, as if to scare him, then 
tapped me rather sharply on the head and told me 
to "vamos." 

It would indeed be difficult for me to give the 
reader even a faint idea of my feelings at this 
moment. I felt on this occasion, as on many 
others afterward, that a cry would relieve me but 
the cold austerity of my savage captor as well 
as my own native timidity, forced me to resist 
every temptation to shed a tear. It was a hundred 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 23 



yards or more from where I first halted where the 
savage approached me back to the edge of the 
thicket from which he had recently emerged, and 
could I reproduce for the reader the many thoughts 
that passed through my brain in going that short 
distance he could have a better conception of my 
feelings than Lam able to give in words. When 
we' reached the edge of the thicket, which 
extended from the little ravine near where I was 
captured to, and partially surroundihg the little 
glade already described, we were suddenly con- 
fronted by two other fierce looking warriors, 

Without any ceremony whatever, the three 
savages began stripping off my clothes, never 
stopping until every thread had been taken off. 
Each of the party then took some piece of my 
clothes, put it on his nude body and began dancing 
and frolicking about me as if in great sport. After 
indulging in this some time at my expense one of 
the savages, the most cruel and hideous of the 
three, left the party some distance and when he 
returned held in his hand a long thorny catclaw 
switch. Two of the savages now led the way into 
the thicket while the one with the switch struck 
me a stinging blow on my naked back and again 
I was told to "vamos." I needed no second 
bidding, but followed after the two in the lead in 
a fast trot, while at every few steps the old 
savage would sting me with his switch. Besides 
the pain occasioned by the sting of the cruel 



24 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



switch, the thorns, over which I was forced to go 
headlong, pierced and lacerated my flesh until the 
blood began to trickle down my body. The rapid 
gait soon brought us across the narrow valley of 
the canyon to the edge of the steep precipitous 
bluff bordering the river. The ascent of this 
mountain, which to me was extremely difficult and 
tedious, was performed by these savages with 
the alertness and agility of a squirrel. The 
American Indian with his native caution and 
wariness, never allowed himself to manifest 
excitement or to be off his guard, but constantly, 
and more especially when in the presence of 
strangers or even near them, he was cold, 
haughty, and sly. The incident of my capture, 
so far as outward appearance was concerned, 
was only a usual occurrence, and created 
no excitement among them, although they were 
aware that they were in the center of a set- 
tlement and might be attacked by the whites any 
moment. The side of the mountain up which our 
route lay was very bushy which hindered me 
from seeing any distance ahead, and as we were 
winding our way up its side I was surprised to see 
almost in front of us and only a few feet distant 
another Indian sitting on the edge of a projecting 
rock. 

It was evident to my mind, from the actions 
of the three savages, as well as from the bearing 
of the stranger that he was more than an ordinary 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 25 



warrior, for just as I approached him he rose from 
the place where he was sitting and with an air of 
haughty dignity characteristic of his race extended 
his hand to me, saying as he did so, * 'Howdy! 
How old you be? You be Englishman or you be 
Dutchman? You be Englishman me killie you; 
you be Dutchman rne no killie you. 

Being afraid to tell my exact age, as I had 
often heard that the Indians would not keep a boy 
captive alive who was over ten or twelve years of 
age, as his chances of escape were much greater 
than those who were not so old, I replied that I 
was ten years old, which I considered true in one 
sense, but untrue in another, as I was nearly 
fourteen, while to the second question I replied 
that I was an Englishman and no Dutchman. The 
latter reply in all probability saved my life. For I 
later learned from a friend, Mr. Montel, a man 
versed in the history of the Lipan Indians, of 
which tribe this chief was a member, that at this 
time they were greatly incensed at the ' 'Dutch, ?? 
a name improperly applied by the Indians to the 
German people, on account of the conduct of a 
party of Germans from Stringtown. These people 
had been, time and again, robbed of their horses 
and other property, and in some cases the owmers 
were murdered by thieving bands of Indians. 
Enraged at this insolent conduct on the part of 
the savages a number of these German people 
banded together for the purpose of overtaking 



26 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



one of these bands and punishing them for their 
insolent conduct. In their pursuit of the guilty 
parties the whites came upon a camp of Lipan 
Indians on the Medina River, and believing that 
they had overtaken their enemies, at once opened 
fire on the Lipans, killing several of their number 
at the first fire, but owing to the superior force of 
the Lipans, the whites fell back, and failed to 
renew the charge. The Lipans being innocent of 
this crime and relying upon a treaty of friendship 
with the whites, which they now considered was 
made void by the hostile actions of the Germans, 
flung aside their treaty obligations and vowed 
vengeance on the "Dutchman." Had I not told 
the truth in this instance, their contempt and 
hatred for the German people would very likely 
have caused them to kill me. 

The old chief stood for some time as if in deep 
study when he again replied, "Heap big ten year 
old boy." Without waiting for me to argue my 
case further, he very kindly and politely intro- 
duced himself to me as Custaleta, a war chief 
of the Lipan Indians. 



CHAPTER III 



I Plead with Custaleta to let me go. His 
Refusal. My Disappointment. Takes me 
to Bluff Overlooking my Home. Makes 
me call to my Sisters. Start on 
our Journey to Lipan Village 

The kindly manner of this old chief, the 
reverse of his savage associates, and the fact that 
he could speak broken English, revived my spirits, 
and I resolved to appeal to him with all the 
courage I could command to let me go. I told 
him that I was the only support of a widowed 
mother and two sisters, that I had never harmed 
an Indian in my life, and that if he would only 
let me go, or take me to my home, my people 
would pay him anything he might wish for his 
kindness. The reader will no doubt perceive that 
the first remark was not true, for my mother had 
been dead several years, but fearing that if I told 
them I was an orphan boy little or no interest 
would be taken by the whites or the Indians in 
securing my release, I felt justified in urging this 



28 BUCKELE-W, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



deception. When I had finished my pleading? 
with the old chief, he looked at each of his mute 
companions as if to learn the effect my plea had 
with them, after which he addressed them in his 
own language for several moments. From the 
earnest manner and gestures of Custaleta, I felt 
in my childish simplicity, that he wanted to let me 
go, and that he was now pleading with his com- 
panions in my behalf. But alas! his cruel reply, 
"No, me no can let you go, me take you to my 
wigwam; make big Injun you; give you bow and 
heap arrows: me give you pony; you ride like big 
Injun; no, me no let you go," sank deep into my 
childish heart, and although I fain would have 
renewed my pleadings, I was so overcome, that I 
could not speak a word. I still believe that my 
plea touched the old chief's heart and momenta- 
rily won his sympathy, and that had he been alone 
I would likely have been released, but that he was 
induced to refuse me by the objections of his 
associates. 

After a few minutes stop here with the old 
chief the whole party started as if by previous 
arrangement. A close watch was now put on 
me as they knew that this was my best and most 
likely chance of escape. All the party except one 
savage, led the way while one of them remained 
behind me, in order to prevent my escape. The 
cunning of the savage was never better illustrated 
than while moving about in the midst of a settle- 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 29 



ment as they now truly were. Perfect ease and 
silence characterized every movement; so much 
so that not a word was spoken nor an unusual 
noise made during the time the party was in 
motion, while they strained eye and ear to catch the 
least indication of the presence of an enemy. The 
constant wariness of my captors misled me many 
times and caused me to expect an enemy at any 
moment, until I became accustomed to it. 

Our route now lay along the top of the bluff 
and parallel to the little river. When a point was 
reached on the bluff opposite our house the savages 
stopped, some two hundred yards from the edge 
of the bluff. One of the warriors now silently 
stole away from the party and crept to the edge of 
the bluff from which he could get a perfect view 
of the house and the valley below us. After he 
had made a careful survey of the situation, and as 
I supposed satisfied himself that no dangerous 
enemy was near, he crept back to the party. 
After a hasty consultation, the party arose in a 
body and proceeded to the edge of the bluff. From 
this high position we had a perfect view of the 
house and its inmates, the distance between being 
less than a quarter of a mile. Custaleta now took 
me by the hand and led me as near the bluff as 
possible, and told me to call loudly to my people, 
which I did several times. When the sound of my 
voice reached my sister's ears she was standing 
near the door, and I heard her screams and cries 



30 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



of "It is Frank! It is Frank!" and saw her 
wringing her hands and running back and forth 
from the gate to the door. 

It is difficult, indeed, to imagine my feelings at 
that moment. It seemed but the work of a few 
moments to reach my loved ones and yet it was 
impossible to do so. I could dwell longer on my 
feelings at this time but perhaps it would be tedi- 
ous to the reader and so I shall proceed with the 
narration of more important incidents. 

When the savages had enjoyed this rather 
melancholy sport at my expense for some time the 
remainder of the party advanced to the side of the 
chief, and as if by common consent, the whole 
party raised their terrible warwhoop. I had often 
heard of the famous Indian warwhoop, but never 
before had I heard it as it came from the lips of 
the savages themselves, nor experienced its ter- 
rorizing effect. As this awful whoop rang out in 
the still evening air and echoed from bluff to 
bluff, one could imagine the whole region infested 
with hordes of savages, all joining in the intimi- 
dating chorus. From this bold move on the part 
of the savages it was evident that they had learned 
here what they did not know before, and that was 
that there were no men at the house. 

After repeating their warwhoop several times 
the party retraced their steps and disappeared 
from view of the house. When we had come to a 
halt, and the savages had gathered around me, I 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 81 



again resolved to renew my pleadings with Cus- 
taleta to let me go, and although my pathetic 
appeal was urged more strongly than at first it was 
to no avail, for I received about the same reply 
this time as before, only adding this time, that 
when I was "big Injun" he would give me one of 
his girls for a wife. 

Could he have realized how little effect this 
promise had, and how little I relished the 
thought of his dusky maiden becoming my wife 
he would no doubt have withheld this promise. 
By this time I had regained my senses and natural 
feelings sufflciehtly to feel keenly the pain occa- 
sioned by the lashes of the switch and the thorns 
that had pierced and torn my flesh. 

I sat down on the ground for the purpose of 
removing some long thorns that had broken off 
and still remained in my flesh, and to my great 
surprise I was assisted in this task by one of the 
savages. This was the greatest act of mercy I 
ever witnessed on the part of this savage, and it 
seemed to be prompted more from a desire to put 
me in better trim for our long journey than to 
give me relief from my suffering. When this task 
was completed, I was presented with a pair of 
Indian moccasins which, although they had been 
worn some, fit my feet perfectly and at once 
offered me some relief from my pain and protection 
from the rough, thorny ground over which we had 
to pass. 



32 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



It was evident from the uneasy glance and 
hasty preparations of my captors that they were 
preparing to take their leave of this place and seek 
a safer retreat in which to spend the night which 
was fast approaching. The tiger while stealing 
upon his unsuspecting prey could not be more shy 
and cautious in his movements than were these 
savages while passing out of sight and hearing of 
the house. Every part of their trail was com- 
pletely covered so that a searching party would 
have been greatly at a loss to determine even the 
direction in which we were going. When I became 
in the least careless In my walk, which I did 
several times and made unnecessary noise, I was 
at once reminded of my awkwardness by a tap on 
the shoulder or head by one of the Indians. 

In this cautious manner the party passed on 
up the river, keeping well up on the bluff until the 
near approach of night made it safe for us to 
descend the bluff to the river where we could 
secure water to drink. Our presence in the valley 
alarmed a number of beef steers that were grazing 
near by and in their mad rush to escape passed 
near the route of the savages. Instantly several 
bows were presented and a number of arrows 
hurled after the frightened animals. I thought 
every animal had received a shot, but one in par- 
ticular caught my attention, for when the cruel 
arrow pierced his body he doubled himself as if to 
resist the shock, and plunged forward in his des~ 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE S3 



perate efforts to pass out of reach of these cruel 
intruders. This display of wanton cruelty on the 
part of my captors made a deep impression on my 
mind, and caused me to forebode much evil for 
myself, a helpless captive at the mercy of such 
cold-hearted beings, 



CHAPTER IV. 

First Night in Camp. Sleep in the Arms of an 
Indian. Plan for my Escape. A 
Gloomy Night. 

After reaching the river, and drinking freely 
of its cool, clear water, the party sat down on the 
bank, and taking their arrows from their quivers 
one at a time, passed them carefully between their 
teeth. I could not at first guess their object for 
such a strange performance but learned later that 
this was their means of determining whether their 
arrows were straight, and also of straightening 
them in case they were not. I also noticed that 
the arrows were all covered with blood, and my 
first thought was that the blood of some white man 
had stained them. I labored under this impression 
for some time when I had an opportunitv to learn 
the cause, After a brief halt here, the savages 
took off their water bags, and began filling them 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



with fresh water from the river. The "Indian 
water bag" was made from a portion of the 
stomach of a beef. This was closed at the 
top by means of a draw-string of deer sinew, 
and was usually fastened to the belt, so as 
to hang on the right hip. The water oozing from 
this sack, kept this hip always wet. Each one in 
a party of Indians was expected to carry his own 
water, and so I was presented with one of these 
crude vessels, the awful scent of which at first 
caused my feelings to revolt, but continued thirst 
for water soon overcome my disgust and before I 
had earned it two days I could drink its contents 
with as much relish as the savages themselves. To 
me this was truly the most gloomy night I had 
ever experienced in my life, as we journeyed along 
in moody silence, clouds began to rise that 
increased the darkness, already intense, Soon a 
slow misty rain began to fall, and continued for 
the greater part of the night. After traveling 
some two or three miles, the savages suddenly 
entered a dense cedar thicket in the bed of a 
small creek, where they halted and prepared to 
spend the night. 

These preparations were made in the same 
noiseless manner that had marked our journey, 
and soon all the savages, except one, were 
stretched on their blanket pallets. I thought it 
was the intention of this warrior to guard me for 
the remainder of the night but he, too, soon 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 35 



threw himself on his blanket and motioned for me 
to come and lie down on his arm. Although I 
little relished the thought of such a hideous bed- 
fellow I reluctantly obeyed. He then hugged me 
tightly to his breast, drew the edge of his blanket 
over us and soon, so far as I could tell, the party 
of savages were all wrapped in slumbers. 

My peculiar situation and the exciting scenes 
of the previous evening caused sleep to desert me 
and as I lay there, in the arms of that old savage 
my mind ran back to my home and loved ones. To 
secure my escape was now the uppermost thought 
in my mind, and as I lay there peering out into 
the gloomy stillness of that solitary region that 
seemed deserted by all save myself and the slum- 
bering savages, many and varying thoughts passed 
through my mind as to the best means of escaping 
from their clutches, and again reaching my home. 
My first thought was to steal from the embrace of 
the old warrior, seize one of their weapons, the 
dangerous Indian dagger, and plunge it into the 
breast of each of my mute captors, before they 
could arouse from their sleep, and then make my 
way back as best I could. Perhaps I spent an 
hour in childish contemplation of this means of 
escape and just as I was preparing to slip out of 
the grasp of the Indian and seize the dagger, he 
gave me a hug that almost drove the breath from 
me, and in my frightened imagination I could hear 
him say, "No, boy, you can't do that. You are in 



86 



BtJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CaPTIVE 



toy power now." For a moment I felt as if the 
secret workings of my thoughts were open to this 
cunning old warrior, and I felt myself shiver in 
his arms, in fear lest he wreak sudden vengeance 
on me for even the thought of such a cruel deed. 
When the old savage had warned me that the 
Indian was awake while asleep, so to speak, my 
mind shifted to the other scenes, as the fickle 
mind of childhood is wont to do* The cries and 
screams of my sister would ring in my ears and I 
could feel myself start as if from some frightful 
nightmare to rush into her arms. I would then 
contrast my present condition with what no doubt 
she thought it to be, I reasoned that it was bad 
enough at best but that it could be much worse. 
I might have been, and no doubt she thought 
I was, murdered by these savages and my body 
left in some lonely spot, a prey to wolves and 
other wild animals, a condition I view r ed in a much 
less favorable light than being a live captive with 
at least a possible chance of escape. While thus 
wrapped in these varied contemplations I was soon 
lost in the peaceful slumbers of childhood. 

Early morn found the party astir. The Indian, 
long accustomed to his rugged manner of life, 
required little time in which to place himself in 
readiness for a journey. His blanket, the most 
bulky part of his burden, w r as wrapped in the same 
way each time and thrown over his shoulder; his 
weapons and other articles necessary to his crude 



BOCKElEW, fBE INDIAN CAPTIVE '37 



manner of life, were so arranged as to secure the 
greatest possible freedom of motion to his limbs 
while his remarkable power to withstand hunger 
made it possible for him to travel days and nights 
at a time without food* As we had eaten no 
supper* and our journey was resumed the next 
morning without eating any breakfast, I began to 
grow weak and hungry, and to wonder no little as 
to when we were going to have an opportunity to 
eat. By this time we had reached the deep rough 
little canyons tributary to the Sabinal One of 
the savages seeing some cattle grazing on the side 
of the hill above us dropped behind the main 
party and soon a shot was heard from the old flint- 
lock rifle he was carrying. Looking in the direc- 
tion of the shot we realized that his aim had been 
sure, for not far distant lay the body of a fat red 
heifer about two years old* 

The first thing the Indian does after killing a 
beef or other animal for food is to cut open the 
breast and take out the liver which they invariably 
eat raw. So, in this case, the liver was cut out 
and placed on a large flat rock near the body of the 
beef, all the party gathering in a circle around it. 
I was also forced to take a place in this circle. 
Custaleta, seeing me hesitate to begin eating, cut 
off a large piece of the raw liver, dripping with 
blood, and said to me, "You eat, it be good for 
you." Although my very being revolted at even 
the thought of eating it and especially after 



38 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



watching these savages devour it while the blood 
was running from their mouths, yet I was far 
from doing anything to offend the old chief, and 
so took the piece from his hand and bit off a small 
portion of it, but no sooner had the eyes of the 
party been removed than I let it fall to the ground 
in front of me. The liver had no sooner been 
devoured by the ravenous appetites of the savages 
than they turned their attention to the rest of the 
beef. The skin was soon removed and the meat 
cut into small pieces. A fire was then built and 
the meat, nearly all of it, was stuck up around the 
fire on green sticks and allowed to cook slowly. 
When a portion of it was half cooked, it was 
taken down, and again the party sat down to 
enjoy another typical Indian feast. The scent of 
the cooking meat sharpened my appetite so that I 
could enjoy eating the meat, although it was only 
partially cooked. I was at a loss to understand 
why so much of this meat was cooked, all except 
what we ate being left around the fire, unless it 
was to deceive any party, who would likely be fol- 
lowing our trail, as to the strength of party of 
savages. All the large bones of the beef were 
placed on the fire and after cooking a short time 
they were taken off, broken open and the marrow 
was devoured by the Indians. From the greedy 
manner in which they consumed this I concluded 
that it must be their most dainty food. 

The savages now seemed to have abandoned 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



89 



of the haste that had marked the first part 
r journey, and to move along in a much more 
leis 'ely manner than before. Our route still lay 
thro gh the roughest and most difficult part of 
the region to travel The Indian in traveling 
never followed a road or even a path if it was 
near a settlement, and never crossed either unless 
i to do so, and then with considerable care 
he removed every sign of his trail before he would 
Z : on. This was perhaps the most successful 
means of eluding his pursuers. The white man, 
though eager for the chase and daring in his 
efforts to overtake the savage, was no match for 
him when it came to gliding over the roughs and 
canyons or in passing through dense cedar brakes 
or forests, and the savage well knew this. 

Night was now coming on and with it dark, 
threatening clouds began to rise in the north. 
Vivid lightning began to play upon its face, and 
rolls of distant thunder could be heard. The 
savages continued to face this approaching storm 
calmly and unconcerned. Though I manifested no 
signs of uneasiness, yet I was far from sharing 
wit them this ease of mind. I had never before 
out in such a night as it promised to be and 
hildish feeling staggered at the thought. 



CHAPTER V 



Another Gloomy Night. Witness a Terrible 
Rain. Again Sleep in the Old Savage's 
Arms. How the Indians Obtained Fire. 

Again a brushy ravine was selected as a 
camping place, the pallets being placed on the side 
of the hill near the bed of the little creek. We 
had scarcely thrown ourselves on the pallets until 
it began to rain and such a rain I had never wit- 
nessed before, nor do I think I have ever witnessed 
such a downpour of water since. Soon vast 
volumes of water, carrying with it great drifts of 
timber and rock, came plunging and rolling past 
us in its headlong passage to reach the river far 
below. The surrounding country, when lit by 
the flashes of lightning, presented the appearance 
of a vast inland sea. For hours this continued, 
the savages never stirring from their blanket 
couches, only pulling a portion of their blankets 
over their faces. The rain was accompanied by a 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 41 



very cold norther, and although I wag in the 
embrace of the old savage, I came near freezing to 
death* 

Morning soon dawned and this time I had the 
pleasure to awake just as the Indians were pre- 
paring to kindle a fire. Having no matches, of 
Course, they were left to their own ingenuity* 
Two methods were used* both of which were suc- 
cessful in the hands of the Indians. Most com- 
monly the flint and steel was used, which appeared 
to be the most convenient. A second method was 
to take a piece Of the soto stalk about the Size of 
the ordinary broom handle and about three or four 
feet in length, and bore a hole in the center from 
Which a notch was cut down one side of the stick* 
A smaller stick usually of oak, was then placed in 
the hole, An Indian would then place the sOto 
stick on the ground and place a foot on each end, 
When he would begin turning the smaller upright 
stick rapidly, moving his hands up and down the 
stick as he did so. This produced a fine wood 
dust, Which worked out of the hole and down the 
little groove or notch. Gradually this dust became 
more and more heated as the turning was con- 
tinued until it could be seen smoking. Cedar 
bark, or any material that would readily take fire, 
was then placed at the lower end of the notch, on 
which the heated dust would fall. It could then 
be readily fanned into a flame. This seemed to be 
the surest method and the one used during wet 



42 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



or damp weather, I soon learned both these 
methods and could kindle a fire almost as quickly 
and surely as the Indians themselves. 

The Indians now changed their course some- 
what to the west, pressing around the head runs 
of the Sabinal and on toward the larger tributaries 
of the Rio Frio. Not far from the head waters of 
East Frio, one of the Indians, the same one that 
had killed the beef the evening before, slipped up 
in gun shot range of a large, roan steer that was 
quietly feeding on the long, green grass. At the 
crack of the old rifle, the steer plunged forward 
on his knees but regaining his feet he dashed 
down the hill leaving a trail of blood as he ran. 
The savages who seemed to know that he had 
received a death shot, followed his trail. When 
he fell the last time he had thrown himself com- 
pletely over landing on his back, between three 
small oak trees which held him securely in that 
position. 

After a brief consultation Custaleta took all 
the savages but one, and started off in the direc- 
tion of a small valley some half mile distant, while 
the other and myself were left to prepare the 
beef. I assisted the Indian all I could in the task, 
which, to be sure, was little enough, and soon the 
meat w r as cut from the bones and laid out in the 
sun to dry. We now had leisure and opportunity 
to observe the movements of Custaleta and his 
party. When they entered the valley there were 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 43 



a number of cattle grazing there, but at the 
approach of the party, they began running about 
In an effort to escape. We could see the Indians 
running about among them and at intervals we 
could hear the report of the rifle as it rang out in 
the still evening air. The party remained here 
until late in the afternoon before they came back. 

Upon their return they threw down seven 
young calf hides, all about the same size. I was 
completely at a loss to understand their object in 
slaughtering these inoffensive little animals in this 
manner, which showed plainly that I had much to 
learn yet of the customs and habits of these unciv- 
ilized beings. 

While waiting the return of Custaleta and his 
party I became the victim of a strange yet pain- 
ful operation which further illustrates the strange 
habits of these people. I noticed that when a stop 
of any length was made, these savages while 
lounging about on the ground would take a small 
piece of looking glass and pair of tweezers from 
his belt and busy himself pulling the hairs from 
his eyebrows and the scattering beard from his 
face. After we had finished our task of prepar- 
ing the beef, the old Indian sat down on the 
ground and motioned for me to come to him. 
When I reached his side he pulled my head down 
across his lap and taking his glass and tweezers 
from his belt began pulling the hair, one at a time, 
from my eyebrows. Never stopping for a moment 



44 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



until every hair had been removed. Although the 
pain occasioned by this cruel performance was 
almost beyond the power of endurance, I felt that 
resistance would be useless and might result only 
in a continuance of the cruelty, so I endured it as 
bravely as possible. I learned afterward that this 
was an ancient custom among the Indians. That 
he detested beard, or hair of any description on 
his face, and sought this painful mode of ridding 
himself of its unwelcome presence. And I have 
often thought that perhaps the scanty beard of 
the savage is due, largely if not entirely, to this 
practice. 

Upon the return of Custaleta and his party a 
fire was kindled and the bones and a portion of the 
meat were placed on and around it. By this time 
I was becoming somewhat reconciled to their man- 
ner of eating, and so could join them more heartily 
in their meals. The total absence of salt in their 
food was at first the most objectionable part to me 
but I gradually lost my craving for salt so com-' 
pletely that after my return home, I pref ered to 
eat fresh meat without salt. The raw liver which 
was so detestable to me at first, I soon learned to 
crave and I could eat it with as much relish as the 
savages themselves. When this meal was com- 
pleted, the remainder of the beef was collected by 
the party, and carried to the top of a brushy 
mountain not far distant. I concluded from the 
greater preparations made here, that a longer halt 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



45 



than usual was contemplated. Sticks several feet 
in length were cut from the surrounding thickets 
and a circular frame built by placing one end of 
the sticks in the ground and tying them securely 
together at the top in the same manner as the 
frame work of the ordinary Indian tepee or wig- 
wam was constructed. This completed, a small 
fire was built near the center of the circle. The 
meat which we had previously cut into thin slices 
was laid with considerable care, on the frame 
until it was completely covered over. The fire in 
the center was kept burning all the next day. 

The small calf hides already mentioned, were 
now spread out on the ground, and the meat was 
placed on them. They were then drawn together 
at the edges, and sewed with deer sinew by run- 
ning a small sharp stick through to make the 
holes. The sinew was then passed through these 
holes in the order of a draw-string. Two holes 
large enough to admit a man's arms were cut 
through each end of the hide and when the 
Indians traveled they would pass their arms 
through the holes, allowing the pack to hang on 
their backs immediately below the shoulders. By 
this means each one of the party could carry his 
own food while he journeyed. Thus the "jerked 
meat," so called by the earlier settlers and which 
constituted the every-day food of the Indians, was 
prepared. 

I had never yet given up hopes of making my 



46 BlTCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



escape, but was continually planning some means 
to effect' it. I had judgment and forethought 
enough, however, to dismiss any plan that would 
likely fail in its execution or leave the savages 
free to immediately follow, as I was by this time 
convinced that to outwit the cunning of these 
warriors was a task requiring the endurance of a 
man equally cunning, and one no less schooled in 
the rugged life of the forest. On the second day 
after my capture, I conceived a plan by which to 
make good my escape, the result of which, had I 
known before hand, would surely have led me to 
dismiss it, even before it was attempted. While 
walking along a narrow trail, I resolved to plunge 
forward and strike my head against a tree and 
then lie as if dead, hoping that I could deceive the 
savages and cause them to press on and leave me 
for dead. This I did, falling at the same time 
almost at the feet of the savage in the lead. In 
falling sure enough I struck my head against a 
tree, much harder, however, than I had antici- 
pated and it came near rendering me unconscious 
for a few seconds. The savages stopped in their 
tracks and by the momentary uneasiness they man- 
ifested, I thought my ruse had succeeded. But 
in this I was sadly disappointed. Presently one of 
the warriors approached me and gave me a hard 
kick in the side that instantly brought me to my 
senses, as well as to my feet. A hearty laugh, 
and a few jeers and hisses from the savages was 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 47 



about all the punishment I received for this rash 
performance. 

The same evening' after the failure of this plan 
I again resolved to beg Custaleta to let me go 
back to my people, and when the first opportunity 
presented itself I renewed my entreaties, implor- 
ing him not to take me any further away from 
my friends but to let me go back at once. Again 
my childish plea seemed to deeply affect the old 
chief, but when the opinions and feelings of his 
wicked companions were sought, he was forced to 
abandon any humane course he might have had in 
view, and to reply as he had the first and second 
time I had plead with him. This now convinced 
me that they were determined to hold me a cap- 
tive in spite of anything I could do by entreaties, 
and so I never renewed them again, 

As soon as the packs of meat were prepared, 
I noticed that some unusual plan was on foot but 
could not guess its object until all were ready to 
start, when Custaleta called me to him and said : 
"Now I leave you; two my men take you to my 
wigwam; me tell my men be good to you; me go 
back with other men, get more horses; me like 
heap horses; me come to you soon; then you be my 
boy again; good bye." 

By some means I had become attached to this 
old savage. I fully realized the restraining influ- 
ence he wielded over his more savage associates 
and was in constant dread while in their company 



48 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CaMIVB 



if he Were absent I implored him not to leave 
me but to allow me to accompany his party, but 
to this he would not consent under any circum- 
stances. Custaleta and two of his braves, now 
took their leave of us, going in an easterly direc- 
tion toward the head of the Medina River, while 
our party continued their journey toward the west, 
I could not help glancing back at the old chief 
and his party until they disappeared from view* 
If I had felt lonely and deserted by friends before 
I now felt doubly so and while I had not prided 
myself on the friendship of Custaleta to any extent, 
yet as I beheld him slowly disappearing from view, 
I could not help feeling that I was separating 
myself from the only friend on whom I could rely 
for protection and the only one of the party with 
whom I could converse* 



CHAPTER VI. 



Indian Kills a Large Deer. Exciting Chase of 
a Buffalo. Continue Our Journey. Enter 
a Dismal Cedar Brake. Tied Down 
While Indians go on a Night Raid 
After Horses. 

Shortly after taking our leave of Custaleta 
and his party and while passing along the partially 
open divide, near the head of the Rio Frio, one of 
the savages spied a large deer standing under the 
shade of a small oak tree. The party now halted 
while the savage carrying the rifle went cau- 
tiously forward until near enough to risk a shot 
when he dropped on his knee and apparently heed- 
less of his aim fired. At the report of the rifle the 
beautiful buck leaped high in air and doubled him- 
self as the cruel lead plunged its way through his 
graceful body. The old savage then rose to his 
feet and returned to the party without ever going 
to the deer, although he fell dead near the spot 



50 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



where he received his death wound. The mention 
of this little incident is not made with a desire to 
prove that the Indians were given to the wanton 
destruction of the wild game, for such was not 
the case. Yet, they would at times, as in the case 
just mentioned, sacrifice some for the purpose of 
increasing their skill in the use of their weapons 
of the chase. 

The two savages, whose duty it now was to 
safely conduct me to their village, seemed to fully 
realize the gravity of their undertaking, and the 
disgrace they would incur should they allow me to 
escape and increased their vigilance at the same 
time depriving me of much of the liberty I enjoyed 
while the old chief was with us e When we trav- 
eled, one of them would invariably lead the way 
while the other would follow me, leaving me 
between the two. 

While wending our way along a narrow path 
that surrounded the head of a narrow, brushy 
little canyon, the savage in the lead signaled for a 
halt by raising his bow slightly over his head* 
After stooping to examine a track in the trail that 
had caught his eye, and taking a bit of hair from 
the brush and examining it, suddenly exclaimed, 
"Buhala! Buhala!" Without further warning or 
delay, he now started down the little canyon in a 
slow run. I could not understand the object of 
such a mysterious chase, but followed the lead of 
the old warrior who seemed to increase rather than 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 51 



diminish his speed as the chase continued. After 
passing some distance down the canyon we came 
to an open space where the recent w r aterspout had 
left a heap of sand and gravel in the bed of the 
ravine. There some huge animal, evidently the 
object of the chase, had rolled itself several times. 
The savage in the lead now motioned for us to stop 
while he silently followed the trail down the 
ravine. Soon the report of the rifle was heard 
followed by the rapid, heavy tread of some large 
animal in its passage across the ravine to the 
mountain on the opposite side. 

We soon joined the savage with the gun and 
together we followed the trail of the great beast 
as he made his way up the side of the mountain. 
When we came into view of the wounded giant, 
the savageb ehind exclaimed, "Buhala! Buhala!" 
and though I had never before seen a buffalo, I at 
once concluded that this was one, and sure enough 
it was, and a very large one at that. From the 
blood left in its trail it was evident that it had 
received a dangerous, if not a fatal wound and the 
savages, well knowing the danger of approaching 
too near a wounded buffalo, stopped some distance 
from where he was standing until the one with 
the gun could make his game safe by firing 
another shot through its body. At this the huge 
animal ran forward some distance and lay down 
as if to rest. Feeling sure of their game, the 
Indians now sat down and prepared to enjoy a 



82 Bijckelew, the. Indian Captive 



smoke. 

These Indians, in common with all their race, 
were inveterate cigarette smokers, but instead of 
paper the thin shuck of the soto was used for the 
wrapper. When sure that their game was dead 
the savages rose and proceeded to where it lay. 
They at once cut open the breast and secured the 
liver, which was eaten as usual, raw* The hide 
was then removed, and several strips of the ten* 
derloin cut out to be carried along for food. The 
remainder of the meat, enough to have fed more 
than a hundred people, was left to become food 
for the wolves. 

These Indians, being originally members of 
the great Plain Tribe, and whose chief food con* 
sisted of the flesh of the buffalo, manifested more 
pleasure and excitement in this chase than I had 
ever noticed on any previous occasion. The hide 
was cut into three strips of about equal size and 
rolled tightly together. Each one of us then 
carried a roll on our shoulders. 

After our short stop with the buffalo, we 
returned to the trail we had recently been trav- 
eling* It was here that our trail led us into the 
dense cedar brakes that skirt the upper runs of 
the Rio Frio and the Nueces. As far as the eye 
could see on every side there was one vast dreary 
stretch of cedar. It seemed as if the ancient trees 
of the brake had vied with each other in covering 
every nook and corner with their offspring, until 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 53 



one vast unbroken forest of cedar covered the 
surface of the whole region. Gloom and melan- 
choly seemed to be native characteristics of this 
dreary region, which seemed to hold all nature 
spellbound in their bewitching charms. The two 
savages under the influence of this spell seemed 
moody and sullen as they skulked along, seldom 
speaking a word. Even the cheering rays of the 
sun could seldom penetrate the vast canopy of 
twigs and leaves that overhung our pathway. 

Our stop for the night's rest was made earlier 
than had been our custom. This was the first 
night since my capture that I was given a separate 
pallet— having slept in the same savage's arms 
each night before— and allowed to sleep alone* 
This gave me no little relief, for among the 
many unpleasant features connected with my 
capture, I considered this the most detestable 
of all 

With this greater show of liberty came new 
resolutions to make my escape, if it lay within 
the range of possibilities. For the most part, the 
plans I considered were old ones, already men- 
tioned, but considered in a new light and a differ- 
ent connection. So ardent was my desire to escape 
that the vast stretch of rough uninhabited country 
lying between this point and my home with all the 
dangers necessarily attendant upon a journey across 
such a region by a lone boy only fourteen years of 
age was entirely overlooked. I felt that if I could 



54 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



only escape from these cruel savages I could 
gladly accept any other circumstances that might 
cross my path as it would indeed have been dif- 
ficult to find circumstances more abhorrent than 
those with which I was now environed, nor a fate 
more appalling than that which I felt sure awaited 
me, should I remain in their power. This being 
my state of mind and feelings at this time the 
reader will be better prepared to pardon the 
apparent cruelty connected with these plans. It 
w T as evident to my mind that no plan could succeed 
so long as either of my captors was alive, hence 
in order for me to escape it was necessary for me 
to do away with them. Again I thought of the 
spears or daggers, a long dangerous looking 
weapon pointed with sharp spikes made of hoop 
iron. This vv r as the most possible means of killing 
both savages as it was less noisy than any other. 
But upon due reflection, I remembered having 
noticed the points the previous day and found they 
were very dull. To a timid boy of my age this 
was excuse enough to justify me in dropping this 
plan and seeking some other. The next thing to 
be considered was the old rifle. But a moment's 
reflection convinced me that if it was loaded and 
ready for firing, it contained but one shot and I 
knew not where to get other ammunition. With 
this single discharge I could but slay one Indian, 
which would leave the other perfectly free to 
wreak his savage vengeance on me for slaying his 



BtJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 55 



companion. And so this plan was dismissed like 
the first* 

I now considered the plan of securing a bow 
and arrow and steal as near my captors as possible 
and with all my might, draw back this powerful 
weapon of death and plunge an arrow into the 
breast of each. While this seemed at first thought 
to be the most likely plan to succeed, it had its 
dangers of failing, in which case I would still be a 
victim to the surviving savage. The peculiar 
twang of the sinew-string of the long Indian bow 
while not so loud in its report, I reasoned would 
be sufficient to reveal my plan, for I was confident 
that should I succeed in killing one with this 
weapon I would be no nearer success than in the 
other cases, for at the first twang of this ancient 
weapon the unwounded Indian would spring to his 
feet in an instant. 

I was not content to dismiss these plans 
without more consideration, especially the first, 
and so I resolved to steal cautiously to where the 
daggers were standing and make a more complete 
examination of their points. Just as I was on the 
point of putting this into execution the old savage 
in whose arms it had been my custom to sleep, 
raised himself on his elbow and at the same time 
threw his fierce gaze full upon me which seemed 
to melt me in its very touch. He then raised to a 
sitting posture, rolled him a cigarette and lit it 
from the embers of the fire. During the fifteen or 



56 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



twenty minutes he sat there, I feigned sleep, but 
was indeed far from it When his smoke was 
finished he quietly stretched himself on his pallet 
and to all appearances he was soon in sound slum- 
bers again. If I had the slightest hope that these 
cunning warriors were becoming slack in their vig- 
ilance, this timely move on the part of this one 
convinced me that it was going to be a special 
part of their business to see that I did not escape, 
as well as to thwart any effort on my part to seek 
advantage of them and do them injury. Conse- 
quently I resigned myself to whatever fate might 
befall me. 

As well as I now remember the next day was 
Sunday, just one week from the time I was cap- 
tured. As usual, early morn found us up and 
ready for our day's journey. We had not gone 
far, however, until I noticed that the savages 
were preparing for a halt. This was very unusual, 
and I was at a loss to understand its object. As 
well as I remember this halt was made on the 
head runs of the Nueces River proper. 

We had not been here long until I was made 
aware of their object, for soon the reports of guns 
mingled with the laughs and shouts of white 
people reached my ears. At this time, not far 
from the head of the Nueces, there was a small 
store. At this time w T hisky was sold in nearly 
every little store of this kind, and I decided that 
this party of whites must be men who had col- 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



57 



lected there for the purpose of drinking, horse 
racing and other exciting sports. Just the sound 
of these voices sent a thrill of pleasure through 
my being and I could scarcely restrain myself 
from tearing away from my captors, and rush 
headlong down the canyon. One of the Indians 
now stepped to the edge of the bluff overlooking 
the canyon, and concealed himself in a position 
where the movements of the party could be closely 
watched. The savage left to guard me now 
became more wary and cautious than ever, not 
allowing me to approach near enough to get a view 
of the party. Soon the one on the lookout 
returned to where we were and after a brief con- 
sultation, returned to his place of concealment, 
while the old savage led me back some distance 
from the edge of the bluff to a point where we 
were less exposed to view and we sat down to 
await in silence the return of the one on watch. 
This was indeed an anxious wait for me, as at 
intervals I could still hear the sound of the voices. 
The old savage seemed to know that this was my 
best and most likely opportunity to escape, and so 
never relaxed his vigilance for a single moment 
during our long stay here. 

Gradually the noise in the valley below died 
away, until a death-like stillness reigned on every 
hand. Soon the Indian on guard returned, and we 
moved nearer the head of the canyon. About sun 
down they took one piece of the buffalo hide and 



58 BtJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



spread it on the ground with the hair outside. 
The old savage then motioned for me to lie down 
on it. When I had complied with this request, 
they took a strong string of deer skin from one of 
their belts and tied me, hand and foot, as you 
would tie a hog if you wished him to remain tied* 
This was perhaps 5 o'clock in the afternoon and I 
was forced to lie there in one position until their 
return near midnight. Upon their return they at 
once released me, a thing I very much appreciated 
as my limbs were stiff and benumbed* Two horses 
and a mule— the result of their night's raid-were 
now led out in a small glade near by. One of the 
Indians now made signs for me to mount one of 
the ponies which he assisted me in doing. When 
convinced that this one was gentle, he had me to 
mount the other two in like manner. This seemed 
to me a rather unfair deal but I well knew that it 
would do no good to complain. I at once recog- 
nized the smallest of the ponies as one belonging 
to a Mr. Finley, an acquaintance of ours then 
living on the upper Nueces. We were soon all 
mounted and ready to continue our journey, one of 
the Indians riding the mule, the other the larger 
pony, while I was allowed to ride the little pony 
already mentioned. 

Here we changed our course somewhat 
abruptly, turning more to the northward. This 
soon led us out of the cedar brake into a more 
open region, consisting of open valleys and low 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



grass covered hills. It was now plain that the 
two Indians were getting anxious to reach their 
destination, as they moved along much more rap- 
idly than had been their custom before. 



CHAPTER VII 

Stop at a Bee Cave. Knocked Down by one of 
the Indians. Reach Cave Where They hid 
Their Saddles. Came in Sight of Vil- 
lage on The Pecos. Go in Swimmieg. 

Not a halt was made after the one described 
in the close of the last chapter, until about 9 
o'clock the following morning when we came to a 
rich bee cave in the bluff of a small ravine along 
which our route lay. One of the Indians now took 
the old rifle and went out a short distance from 
the cave and soon returned with a small deer he 
had killed. The hide was then cased, and prepared 
to receive the honey in the cave, and after eating 
our breakfast of venison and honey, the two 
savages went to work in earnest to secure the 
honey which they found in great abundance. Just 
enough honey was put into the hide as was con- 
venient to carry, when it was tied securely at the 
mouth. 

Not long after leaving the cave we came to 



60 BtJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



where the Indians had left their ponies while on 
their raid into the settlements, This was a beau- 
tiful, grass covered region with low hills here and 
there from the base of which deep caves or valleys 
extended in every direction. Some of these 
deepest valleys contained living springs of cold, 
pure water, an ideal place to locate horses. When 
the drove of some six or seven head of horses 
were located the Indians endeavored to catch 
them, but this they were unable to do. They then 
drove them into one of the nearar valleys, one that 
was bordered by almost perpendicular wells or 
bluffs. The horses not being willing to enter this 
natural trap, it required considerable effort on the 
part of the savages to force them into it. After 
nearly an hour's chase one of the savages, the one 
riding the mule, came riding up to me and signed 
for me to dismount. He then mounted the little 
pony I was riding, and hastened to assist his com* 
panion. At length they succeeded in rushing into 
the mouth of the valley* I was then stationed at 
this point so as to be able to turn the horses in 
case they attempted to make their escape, this 
being the only outlet to the valley. As soon as 
the work of lassoing the ponies began, they at 
once made a mad rush to this point in the hope of 
making their escape. I endeavored to check them 
and turn their course, but seeing that they were 
determined to make their escape at the risk of 
running me down, I gave way, allowing two of 



RUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 61 



them to pass me and escape from the valley. At 
this one of the savages came dashing up to where 
I was standing, and with rage depicted on his 
hideous vissage, let fly a stick that he was car- 
rying in his hand, straight at my head. I endeav- 
ored to ward off the blow, but was unable to do so, 
the stick striking me on the head and knocking 
me down. This was the last thing I remembered 
until the two savages came riding back to where 
I lay, leading the two ponies they had succeeded 
in capturing. When they rode up, the old savage 
dismounted from the little pony I had been riding 
and allowed me to remount* 

Shortly after leaving this place we came to a 
high hill, the highest one to be seen anywhere 
around. Upon arriving at its base the party at 
once began to encircle it which they did two or 
three times before starting on their journey. I 
could not understand the object of this unless it 
was intended to confuse anyone who might be in 
pursuit, as to the course taken by the savages, 
When ready to leave the mountain they followed 
their old trail some distance back when they 
started off in a more westerly direction. This 
change in direction soon brought us into a more 
thickly timbered country traversed by numerous 
small dry creeks. The numerous halts and delays 
that had previously hindered our speed were now 
entirely abandoned, and they now seemed over 
anxious to complete their journey. Our next halt 



82 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



was made near night, when we reached a large 
cave where the party of Indians had secreted their 
saddles and several large spears, too clumsy to be 
carried on their raid. Here we stopped over until 
morning when our journey was resumed. 

The Indian saddle was a crude affair made by 
fastening two pieces of wood together with buck- 
skin in the form of an X, one for each end of the 
saddle. Flat pieces of wood, several in number, 
extended from one of these to the other. When 
this frame was completed, rawhide was stretched 
over it. While these saddles appeared clumsy and 
awkward, they were much more convenient and 
comfortable riding than bare-back. One old horse 
in the drove gave out so completely that one of the 
savages was forced to lead him along. This 
delayed our progress so much he became tired of 
his job, and seizing his dagger, plunged it into 
the old horse, driving it entirely through his body. 
With a loud groan the horse fell to the ground and 
died almost instantly, I looked behind me just in 
time to witness this act of cruelty, and while it 
was plain to me that the old horse must be dis- 
posed of by some means, yet it would have been 
much more humane and in keeping with my 
sentiments to have set him at liberty on the range, 
rather than to have made him the victim of such 
cruelty. This with many other similar displays of 
savage cruelty, increased my apprehensions lest I 
should fall a helpless victim to the same inhuman 



BtJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAMIVB 63 



and pitiless treatment. My greatest danger lay in 
having to depend entirely on gestures and signs 
from the Indians, which in many instances I was 
unable to clearly understand* 

By this time we had reached Big Devil's River, 
which we crossed at a point about midway between 
Beaver Lake and the head waters of the stream, 
We found no water here, it being a place where 
the water sinks, and runs underground several 
miles, so it became necessary for us to push for- 
ward further before halting for the night. At 
length we came to a clear pool of water on the top 
of a narrow divide. It was a small lake, enclosed 
by steep rock walls, which made it difficult for the 
horses to reach it. The next morning about 9 
o'clock, we came to where our trail crossed the 
old Government Road, leading from the settle- 
ments in the east by way of Fort Mason and Fort 
McKavett, on to Fort Clark, Before crossing this 
road the party halted and one of the savages went 
forward to make an examination. Not being 
content with a long, careful survey of both ends of 
the road from the ground, he climbed up into a tree 
near by in order to be sure that there were no 
travelers on the road. He then came down and 
we proceeded cautiously across the road. After 
crossing, one of the savages spent several minutes 
in completely erasing all signs of the trail. Such 
precaution on the part of these savages might 
seem useless, especially in a region that was 



64 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



seldom crossed by a white man, yet the savage 
knew that a beginning was about all the trained 
scouts of the whites, as well as those of hostile 
bands of Indians, needed, in order to follow a trail 
and overtake them. Time devoted to thwarting 
the efforts of pursuers might prove of much 
greater advantage than spent in putting distance 
behind. 

I had often heard of the "Western Wilds of 
Texas," but now had an opportunity to experience 
the melancholy grandeur, connected with a jour- 
ney through them. Apart from the indications 
along the road we had just crossed, there were no 
signs of civilization, or of life in any form. Occa- 
sionally we would see deer, turkey, and other 
game along our route, but the savages seldom 
killed one. Long ranges of blue mountains in the 
distant west, pointed to the fact that we were 
nearing a larger stream than we had yet crossed, 
and as the savages neared them they continued to 
increase their efforts to reach this point, which I 
concluded must be their destination. It was not 
long until we reached the rough mountain tributa- 
ries of the Pecos River. Although accustomed to 
varied scenes, I could not but be impressed by 
the strange, though somewhat melancholy scene 
before me. The red murky waters moving rapidly 
along the serpent-like curves of its channel, in 
which it is helplessly confined by steep rock walls, 
makes it one of the most picturesque streams of 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 65 



the west. Though not high, these walls make the 
river impassable for miles. Along this particular 
part of the stream, as well as the greater portion 
of the upper Pecos, the water is accessible to 
stock only in a few places, and frequently they 
have to go days at a time without water, although 
it is in plain view only a few feet below them. 

From the point where we first reached the 
river we could plainly see the wigwams of the 
village, yet from this point it was necessary for 
us to travel some four or five miles up the river, or 
to a point opposite the village where the river 
could be forded. At length we came to a narrow 
rough trail which led down the steep bluff to the 
river. It looked to me as though a horse unincum- 
bered would fall headlong down this rough trail, 
much less one carrying the weight of a man. I 
hesitated to attempt such a dangerous undertak- 
ing, but seeing the savage in the lead start down, 
seemingly as indifferent to the apparent danger as 
if he was riding along the street of some village, I 
followed on my little pony which moved along this 
dangerous passage as nimbly as a cat. 

No sooner had the savages reached the river 
than they began to throw of their burden prepara- 
tory to a swim in its waters. When they saw me 
hesitate to join them, they at once began to signal 
me to come in, and although not so much inter- 
ested in the coming sport as the two Indians, I 
threw off my load and joined them at once. They 



66 BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



appeared to be greatly pleased when they found 
that I could swim. It was indeed amusing to wit- 
ness the change in the attitude and temper of 
these two savages when they realized that they 
were near their village and under the protection 
of the hundreds of stalwart warriors of their 
tribe. They would sport like young children in 
the water. After enjoying their swim as long as 
they desired they returned to the bank and pre- 
pared to continue their journey to their village. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Meet an Old Squaw. My Entrance Into the 
Village. Cruel Reception. A Trying 
Moment. Dressed and Painted Indian 
Fashion. Home Life, Customs 
and Habits. 

The two savages who, to me, seemed naturally 
reserved and haughty, now appeared to have com- 
pletely changed their front, and advanced toward 
their comrades, rejoicing. In passing the river, 
by some means my pony fell behind some little 
distance, and had not yet overtaken the Indians 
when they were met by two young warriors 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 67 



dressed and painted in their war garb. 

About the time the two warriors met the 
savages in advance I saw an old squaw coming on 
foot from the village toward the party. She car- 
ried something in her hand which at first I could 
not recognize, but as she passed the party of sav- 
ages with an air of sullen indifference, and 
advanced toward me I discovered that it was a 
quirt she was carrying. Being ignorant of her 
object and helpless in the matter, I rode forward 
until I met her. When she reached me she seized 
rny horse by the reins and made signs for me to 
to dismount, which I did without delay. No sooner 
had I landed on the ground than she began 
whipping me with the quirt. My body being prac- 
tically naked, every lick seemed to cut to the 
blood, and every second her anger seemed to 
increase, until I began to think her a maniac, and 
that she might not decide to stop her cruelty until 
I was killed. I was powerless, however, to prevent 
the cruelty and so had to bear it in patience until 
she had almost exhausted her strength whipping 
me. She then whirled me around until I faced 
her when she gave me a powerful shove toward 
the village. It was evident from the stir among 
the Indians at the village that something unusual 
was about to take place, as the old squaws, boys 
and girls, all held something in their hands, either 
quirts, sticks or clubs, and as I neared them, they 
began to form in line along the main road passing 



68 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



through the village. I knew that resistance would 
be useless, as there were hundreds of warriors 
standing near to subdue and punish any resistance. 
I walked forward not knowing what future fate 
awaited me. When I reached the end of the line 
nearest me, and which consisted of the smaller 
boys and girls, they began striking me with their 
clubs and sticks, each one being intent upon strik- 
ing me before I passed. This was continued along 
the entire length of the line, the force of the licks 
increasing as I reached the part of the line com- 
posed of the larger boys and girls and the old 
squaws. By the time the farther end of the line 
was reached, and before the striking ceased, I was 
almost exhausted from pain and exertion, so much 
so that it required considerable effort to stand on 
my feet. I had not yet recovered from the painful 
flogging by the old squaw, and altogether was 
indeed taxing on the endurance of a fourteen- 
year-old boy. 

By this time the line had broken, and all a 
mere howling mob of savages were following my 
track. When this was completed, the old squaw 
who had previously whipped me with the quirt, 
now carrying a long, dangerous looking knife, led 
the way, motioning for me to follow. She passed 
some little distance beyond the edge of the village 
to a small open space, where she sat down on the 
ground and motioned for me to lay my head in her 
lap which I did. The whole tribe by this time had 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



69 



come up, the old squaws, the boys and girls form- 
ing a large circle, leaving us as nearly as possible 
in the center. The warriors stood outside the 
circle, all being perfectly quiet, until each indi- 
vidual had taken his position, when the old 
squaws began a mournful hissing chant or song, 
in which the boys and girls later joined. 

It was not difficult for me to surmise the out- 
come of this strange performance, but one thought 
prevailed in my mind, and that was that she 
aimed to kill me, a fitting climax to the horrible 
transaction in which I was the innocent victim. 

When all was ready she pulled my head back, 
leaving my throat completely exposed. I have 
felt ever since the occurrence of this incident that 
this was the most trying period in my life, and 
while ordinarily I would cling to life, as will all 
men, yet the terrible experience I had just under- 
gone enabled me to summons my courage and I 
looked up into her horrible countenance and wel- 
comed the impending stroke of death with pleas- 
ure. She began leisurely to draw the knife back 
.and forth across my throat, each time 
flourishing the knife before repeating the 
stroke. Although great courage and composure 
was necessary on my part to subdue my native 
fear and love of life, I stood the ordeal without 
moving a muscle or batting an eye. I felt at the 
time, as I had during all the time that I was a 
captive, that death itself would be a welcome 



70 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



release from a condition in which life was mis- 
erable. I had lived in continual dread of their 
cruelty before, but now I had occasion to dread 
it more than ever before. 

When she had tested my courage to her sat- 
isfaction she raised my head from her lap, and 
signed for me to rise to my feet. I now wondered 
what further punishment awaited me, The circle 
of savages now broke and all took their journey 
back to the village, the old squaw conducting me 
to her wigwam. After giving me to understand 
that her wigwam was to be my future home, she 
began painting and dressing me Indian fashion. 
Instead of becoming Custaleta's son as I had 
believed and hoped that I would, I became the 
adopted son of the warrior who captured me. 

With the liberty due a captive boy in an Indian 
village, I shall proceed to relate some of the inci- 
dents which occurred, and describe some of the 
customs connected with the home life of these 
uncivilized beings. And in giving this we wish 
the reader to understand as he no doubt does, that 
the different Indian tribes, while they had many 
customs in common, differed widely in their home 
life and habits as well as in many of their cus- 
toms. Hence the truth we state here in connec- 
tion with the home life of the Lipan Indian can- 
not be measured by the customs and habits of the 
Apache, Comanche or other Indians. Their habits 
as well as their occupation, and food, depended 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 71 



largely on the natural resources of the region in 
which they lived. As an illustration, the tribes 
inhabiting the western plains used the flesh of the 
buffalo and antelope as food, and their most impor- 
tant occupation was hunting these animals, while 
the tribes inhabiting the coast regions of the east 
as well as the west, subsisted chiefly on fish, and 
the flesh of sea fowls, and of course their efforts 
were devoted chiefly to obtaining these necessaries 
of life. Speaking in a general sense, however, of 
the tribes inhabiting the central portion of the 
United States, it is safe to say that their most 
common and universal food was beef. This was 
eaten either cooked, uncooked, or more often 
jerked or dried. The Lipans had a large herd of 
cattle all held in common, but by some means 
each warrior knew his own cattle and used them 
for food. When they wished to butcher a beef the 
entire herd was driven into the village and a gen- 
eral slaughter would follow until the desired num- 
ber were killed, then the warriors would drive the 
herd away leaving the preparation of the slaugh- 
tered animals to their squaws, who had much 
more practice in this work than the men. This 
herd was continually recruited by others, so that 
the number increased rather than diminished. 
This was not the only flesh they would eat but 
constituted their every day food. The flesh of 
almost all animals was eaten when it could be 
secured, but they detested the flesh of fowls as a 



72 BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



rule> The flesh of the wild turkey being the only 
fowl I ever knew them to eat. 

Another choice food of these Indians, and 
one in almost constant use, was the "Soto" root, 
or bulb of the soto plant, which grew in great 
abundance along these western rivers, and 
which, when accessible, formed a choice winter 
food for cattle. In the preparation of this plant 
for food, large quantities of the bulbs were gath- 
ered and collected in a place suitable for a large 
kiln. A large circular hole was then dug three or 
four feet deep and several feet in diameter. In 
this hole they would place a large pile of wood 
and rock in such a way that the rocks would 
become thoroughly heated by the time the wood 
was consumed. The rocks were then replaced in 
such a way that the soto could be placed on and 
around them. When this was completed, brush 
and leaves were placed next to the soto, and the 
entire heap covered over with dirt so as to make it 
air tight. This was allowed to remain several 
days during which time the heat from the rocks 
would penetrate the soto, and thoroughly cook it. 
When satisfied that the contents were thoroughly 
cooked they would remove the dirt and leaves, 
exposing a glistening white heap of crisp soto. 
The bulbs were then spread out in the sun where 
they could dry. When perfectly dry, the flakes or 
thin layers would separate easily. This completed, 
the task of preparing it for food was just begun, 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



78 



as it was necessary to make large holes in rocks 
or logs in which the soto was placed when it was 
beaten and ground by large wooden pestles until 
it resembled white flour. This flour was then mixed 
with water and made into small cakes and baked 
in the ashes and embers of a fire. 

One not accustomed to the food of the Indian 
and their crude mariner of cooking would become 
tired and almost disgusted with the monotony of 
their diet. This was my misfortune, and often I 
would go a long time without eating anything. 
By this time I had learned to make a fire almost 
as quickly as the Indian, and had become some- 
what expert in the use of the bow and arrow, so I 
resolved to procure and cook food myself which I 
thought would be more to my liking. The river 
near the village swarmed with thousands of wild 
ducks at this season of the year, and I resolved to 
kill and cook some of them. One day in company 
with an Indian boy I proceeded to the river where 
I killed a large fat duck, and not knowing that the 
Indians would object to my eating it, I returned to 
the village where I began preparing it for cook- 
ing. Soon one of the Indian warriors passed near 
me, and seeing what I was preparing to do, 
walked up to where I was and knocked the duck 
from my hand, indicating at the same time his 
utter disgust at the thought of eating duck's 
flesh, and giving me to understand that I would 
not be allowed to eat them. Though I never 



74 BUCRELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



repeated the experiment in the presence of th 
Indians again, yet I would often kill ducks and other 
smaller birds when not in their presence, and cook 
and eat them* 

The Indians had few things in common, as a 
rule each warrior provided for his own family. 
Occasionally when a number of deer and antelope, 
a bear or buffalo were killed a common feast was 
held in which all the tribe would take an equal 
share* 

For a short time I was allowed to roam about 
the village with little or nothing to do, but at 
length I was put at herding the horses of my mas- 
ter consisting of more than a hundred head of 
Indian ponies. Nearly every warrior had his sep- 
arate herd of horses and separate herder. In 
order to secure fresh pasturage for the horses, it 
was necessary to shift them from one part of the 
range to another. All the separate herds were 
driven the same direction from the village and 
frequently allowed to mingle together during the 
day, but could be easily separated by the herders 
when they wished to do so. One of the Indians 
had a small Mexican boy captive as his herder, 
and frequently we would allow our herds to min- 
gle and we would engage in play together. 
Although he could speak very little English, and I 
could understand none of his language, we enjoyed 
each others company, and day by day became 
close companions. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Tribe Moves to new Location. An Exciting 
Antelope Hunt. Indians Become Alarmed, 
and Flee From Camp. Coming 

OF THE KlCKAPOOS. • 

The tribe remained in camp here but a short 
time when they began preparations for a move, 
Their object being to secure new and better range 
for their stock, and, as I supposed, to rid them- 
selves of the swarms of lice that infested every 
nook and corner of the village, and fairly covered, 
everything possessing life, and many things with- 
out life as well. The tepees or wigwams of the 
tribe, more than a hundred in number, were taken 
down and together with the other plunder of the 
tribe placed on pack horses and on the old squaws, 
and their journey to a new location was taken up. 
The herds of cattle and droves of horses were 
driven in advance, followed by the squaws and 
children, while the warriors followed in the rear 
on horse-back.. - 

Much beautiful country was passed over betore 
a suitable location was found. The place selected 
was a comparatively open region, covered with 



78 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



long grass and interspersed by open grass covered 
hills. The tribe moved around the southern base 
of one of these hills to where an abundance of 
water was found in a small running creek. 

The next morning after our halt great prepa- 
rations were made by the warriors and larger boys 
for an antelope hunt. More than a hundred men 
and boys, mounted on fast ponies, took part in 
the chase, most of thern having their bows and 
arrows while a few^ had guns. The place selected 
for the hunt was a low grass covered valley sur- 
rounded almost completely by hills like the ones 
described above. Between these hills were low 
passes, making it easily accessible. When the 
party reached the inner base of the hills, a number 
of them took their position some distance apart 
around the entire circle, while others proceeded to 
the center of the basin where hundreds of the 
beautiful little antelope could be seen grazing and 
sporting about. When the alarmed creatures 
began their efforts to escape, the savages slowly 
closed in on them, each time making the circle 
smaller. W r hen they received a volley from one 
side of the circle they would wheel about and 
dash off in another direction only to meet with 
like fate from that quarter. I was allowed to take 
part in the hunt, and had the pleasure of killing 
one antelope, the first I had ever killed. This was 
certainly the most exciting chase I ever witnessed. 
The savages became so intently interested in the 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 7? 



sport that they seemed perfectly reckless of life, 
and I could not help fearing that in their excite- 
ment they would kill one another but when the 
chase ended no one was hurt The chase con- 
tinued as long as the game lasted, but many of 
the antelope escaped during the excitement The 
antelope w r ere now collected, and placed on the 
ponies and carried to camp where the squaws 
dressed and prepared them for food. 

One day while in camp here the warriors were 
lounging about camp, when they became suddenly 
frightened at the sight of a cloud of dust rising 
to the north of the camp. Soon all the stock and 
the squaws and children were hurried off to a 
better place of concealment while the warriors, 
mounted and in their war garb, remained in the 
rear to meet the attack of the enemy. Custaleta, 
who had returned some months previous, now 
gave evidence of the fact that he was by far the 
most important figure on the occasion, every war- 
rior placing himself immediately under his com- 
mand, and the need and power of this great old 
war chief now became evident. The Lipans 
remained on their own side of the little creek until 
the enemy came into view; in fact until the enemy 
charged up to the opposite bank. When they 
came sufficiently into view that the Lipans could 
recognize them they exclaimed, "Kickapoos!" 
The Kickapoos were known enemies to the Lipans, 
and, of course, a battle was expected to follow 



78 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



immediately. The enemy came forward at a rapid 
gallop until fearful of being in range of the Lipans, 
when they began riding in a circle, each time 
approaching nearer the bank of the little stream. 
The old chief, enraged at the insolent daring of 
his cunning enemy arranged his warriors, -dashed 
across the little stream and prepared to return the 
charge. 

The Kickapoos seeing their enemy were equal 
in fighting trim, and were somewhat -greater in 
numbers now changed front, and just as the 
Lipans were preparing to charge them, their chief 
in company with two warriors came forward to 
meet the Lipans, making the usual signs for a 
consultation. At this, Custaleta selected two 
warriors, and rode forward to meet the party. 
They met about midway between the two hostile 
lines and after a rather lengthy conversation, 
they saparated, each party returning as they came, 
When the result of the consultation became 
known to both parties, each raised the familiar 
warwhoop, and clashed off to the center of the 
field where they met each other as friends. The 
Kickapoos now struck camp on the opposite side of 
the little creek from the Lipans, while the Lipan 
warriors started out to bring back their women 
and children, and their herds of stock. 

It was about this time that a party of savages 
returned from a raid into Bandera and adjoining 
counties, and when the clothing taken in the raid 



BtfCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



79 



as spread out for distribution among the families 
of the returning warriors, I noticed some boys 
clothing- which I at once, recognized as belonging 
to the children of Mr. Kinchelo. After my return 
I learned that in the absence of Mr. Kinchelo and 
a relative of mine by the name of Bolden, who was 
at that, time working for Mr. Kinchelo and mak- 
ing his place his home, their house was attacked 
near night by a party of Indians. The Indians 
feigned friendship until they learned the true state 
of affairs, when they began preparations to enter 
the house and kill its inmates. The two brave 
little women placed themselves in readiness to 
defend the home, containing their household 
goods and little children, against the cruel toma- 
hawks of the savages. The men had their guns 
with them, leaving only an old style rifle with 
which to defend the house. Mrs. Kinchelo first 
took her stand at the door, which could not be 
locked securely against the savages, and it was not 
long until they succeeded in wounding her twice 
with arrows, and once with a lance. Bleeding 
and almost exhausted from loss of blood, she 
turned the gun over to Mrs. Bolden, begging her 
not to allow the fiends to enter if she could possi- 
bly prevent it, at the same time throwing herself 
by the side of the bed under which the little chil- 
dren had taken refuge. The rifle was of little 
service to the unfortunate women, from the fact 
that they did not understand how to load and 



80 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



operate it. For some time, however, it served as 
a bluff to the savages who were not at first aware 
of this fact, but when Mrs. Bolden, in spite of the 
warning of Mrs. Kinchelo not to snap the gun, 
allowed it to snap, and apprise the savages of her 
inability to use it, they became bold, and entered 
the house. The struggle was of short duration. 
The strong Indian warriors found little difficulty 
in overpowering these two frail women, the 
bravest of the two being already dangerously 
wounded and bleeding her life away. But one 
stroke from the hand of a fiend served to end her 
life, when the efforts of all were united in sub- 
duing and murdering Mrs. Bolden. Little Ella, 
the daughter of Mrs. Bolden, succeeded in making 
her escape during the progress of the struggle. 
But just before leaving she witnessed what must 
have been a pitiful scene, indeed. A little boy of 
Mrs. Kinchelo' s had a new knife that had been 
presented to him by his father and when he saw 
the savages murder the two women, he came from 
under the bed and offered the knife to one of the 
savages if he would not kill him. 

When the two women were disposed of the 
Indians at once proceeded to pillage the house. 
All the clothing and other goods of value to the 
savages were collected and placed on their pack 
horses. They evidently became alarmed just 
about the time they completed packing the goods 
for they hastily retreated, leaving the house 



BUCKBLEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 81 



unburned,— a thing the savage seldom did under 
such circumstances,— and the children unhurt. 
These savages were pursued and overtaken by a 
party of white men on the Sabinal, and one of 
their number killed, while another had his leg 
broken by a bullet. The Lipans succeeded in 
escaping with the stolen property and their dead 
and wounded companions. By the time they 
reached the village the warrior's leg was so nearly 
well that he could walk on it by the help of a 
stick. 

It was a custom among the squaws, when a 
warrior was killed in battle or on their raids, for 
the wife of the dead warrior to shave her head, 
dress in their peculiar robe of mourning, and go to 
some secluded spot where she would spend several 
days, weeping for her brave. 

When Custaleta noticed me observing the 
clothing taken in the raid he told me that his men 
had killed my mother and sister. I well knew that 
a part of his story was untrue, that relating to my 
mother and had every reason to believe that they 
had not killed my sister, but could not help believ- 
ing that harm had befallen the family of Mr. 
Kinchelo, for- 1 -was sure that I was not mistaken 
as to whom the clothes belonged. Among the 
horses stolen by the savages on this raid, was a 
gray mare belonging to my aunt. 

As soon as the Lipans returned with their 
squaws and herds that had fled at the approach of 



82 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



the Kickapoos, the two tribes joined forces in pie- 
paring for a good time, and judging from the 
preparations made and the manner in which they 
enjoyed the different sports in which they 
engaged, they had the time they sought. Their 
first task was to construct a large circular wig- 
wam, thirty or forty feet in diameter, of brush 
and twigs, leaving a small opening at the top, 
through which the smoke could escape, and a large 
arched door through which to enter the structure, 
When this was completed, preparations for a 
grand Indian dance were made. The music, if 
music you could call it, was made by different 
means. Smooth, dry sticks were struck together 
by some, while others would rattle long chains of 
disc-shaped bones, and beat their crude drum, 
made by stretching deer hide over each end of a 
piece of a hollow log, Though musical tones were 
entirely absent, yet the peculiar effect produced 
by these different instruments, seemed to touch 
the heels as well as the hearts of these simple 
natives, lending a peculiar charm and enticement 
to their sport, When wearied of the dance another 
performance on the order of the ancient ghost- 
dance, practiced by the earlier Indian tribes, was 
carried on. 

This sport was confined solely to the night, at 
which time the Lipan warriors would dress in the 
fashion of some animal, most commonly placing a 
large set of horns on his head, and covering his 



BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 83 



body with the hide of a beef or buffalo. They 
would suddenly appear near the center of the 
wigwam where they would engage in many ludi- 
crous antics for some time, then they would dash 
out, pursued by the laughing savages who would 
seize his ungainly uniform and strip it off, return- 
ing with it to the crowd. 

At intervals they would spend the day in 
gambling, horse racing, and target practice with 
bow and arrow. In this the boys, those who were 
old enough to be allowed to take part, and all the 
warriors participated, and the accuracy with 
which the arrows flew to the desired spot gave 
evidence of the remarkable skill attained by them 
in the use of this ancient weapon. 

The ordinary bow, those used by the warriors 
which, when placed with one end resting on the 
ground, reached as high as the head of the war- 
rior, and required no little labor in its making. 
They were usually made of bois d'arc wood, and 
when properly prepared and seasoned, gave the 
desired strength and toughness, as well as spring. 
Their construction required several months time, 
during which they were cut, hewn and scraped 
to the desired shape and thickness, and when 
completed they fairly glistened in the sunlight. 
The string was of sinew taken from the large 
muscle in the deer's back, or often from that of a 
beef. The sinew was secured by boiling the mus- 
cle until the tissue holding the sinews in a bundle 



84 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



was destroyed when the sinews could be separated 
one from each other, During dry weather these 
were all that could be desired as strings. But m 
damp or wet weather they would relax to a con- 
siderable extent, and would often render the bow 
useless. 

It was while in camp here that I became a 
victim to more cruelty which further illustrates 
the inhuman manner in which I was treated. 
There was in one of the herds of horses a small 
pony that was a noted broncho, and would usually 
throw its rider, almost as soon as he touched its 
back. This pony was led up to camp, and I was 
seized by a large warrior and placed on without 
bridle or saddle, then it was turned loose and 
allowed to go at liberty. Only a few jumps was 
required to throw me head first to the ground, the 
pony kicking me as I fell, and knocking me uncon- 
scious. It was some little time before I recovered 
consciousness and when I did so I found that 
almost every Indian in the tribe had gathered 
around me and appeared greatly alarmed at rny 
condition. When I had so far recovered as to be 
able to sit up, one of the warriors mounted the 
pony, quirt in hand, and in spite of the remarka- 
ble efforts of the little animal to throw him, he 
rode it back and forth in front of the yelling 
crowd quirting it at almost every jump until it 
ceased pitching. 

It was while here, too, that I noticed the tribe 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



making preparations, unusual in their nature, but 
of sufficient importance to engage the attention of 
all, old as well as young. Late one afternoon the 
entire tribe, men, women and children, repaired 
to the foot of a low hill not far distant from their 
camp, and in taking their respective positions, 
formed a vast circle inclosing an open space. In 
the center of this circle the musical instruments, 
previously described, were placed. At a given 
signal, the musicians, or those whose duty it was 
to operate the instruments, took their positions in 
the center, when all appeared to wait in breathless 
silence the coming event. Suddenly, by some 
common signal, the music began, but in a different 
manner to that played during their amusements, 
The music, the expression of their faces, in fact 
everything connected with the ceremony, betrayed 
the greatest possible solemnity. It was a per- 
fectly cloudless night, the moon at the time shin- 
ing perfectly clear and bright. Gradually, how- 
ever, I noticed the light of the moon faded until 
it passed into total eclipse. The music continued, 
and at brief intervals, the savages would join in 
with a low, mournful chant, perfectly in accord 
with the expressions and mood of those taking 
part in the strange performance. 

By some means, difficult to understand, these 
savages had previous knowledge of this occur- 
rence, as the preparations made beforehand are 
sufficient evidence. This was observed as regu- 



86 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



larly and as often as there was an eclipse, either 
of the sun or moon. At regular intervals a simi- 
lar religious ceremony was observed by the squaws. 
At such times they would collect in a grove of 
low cedars where they would all join in the Indian 
chant, the musical instruments not being used on 
such occasions. Frequently this would last for a 
whole night or day. 

But perhaps the marriage ceremony was the 
most unique observed by these uncivilized beings. 
A large beef hide was spread out on the ground, 
and caused to cup up, basin fashion, by throwing 
heated rocks on the flesh side. This was taken a 
considerable distance from the village or camp 
where it was partially filled with water. In com- 
pany with a Mexican boy captive and an Indian 
boy, I once visited the place selected and arranged 
by the contracting parties to such a ceremony. 
We dared not approach too near the place, how- 
ever, but remained where we could easily witness 
their actions. The first persons to appear on the 
scene were the two contracting parties who 
marched up to the hide hand in hand, and step- 
ping into the water joined both hands and marched 
around in the water some little time. About the 
time this part of the ceremony was nearing an 
end the parents of the couple approached the spot. 
After a few other formal ceremonies the whole 
party marched back to the village. 

After a stay of about a month here the Kick- 



BUCKBLBWy THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 8? 



apoos returned to their own hunting grounds. 
They were scarcely out of sight before the Lipans 
missed more than a hundred head of their ponies. 
Hasty preparations were made by the Lipans to 
pursue their thieving enemies, but suddenly, and 
for some reason unknown to me, the plan was 
abandoned and the Kickapoos were allowed to 
proceed with their booty. 



CHAPTER X, 

Visit of an- Old Mexican Results in a Treaty 
with Mexico, Lipans Prepare to Move 
Into Mexico. Incidents Connected 
with the Journey, 

At this particular time the Lipans and the 
Mexicans were enemies* which caused the Indians 
to confine their moves to the country north of the 
Rio Grande, between that great river and the 
Pecos, After several moves across this region^ 
and while in camp neai* the Mexican border, the 
tribe was visited by a very old Mexican, whose 
hair and beard were perfectly white. From his 
bearing and conduct it Wag evident that he was a 
person of considerable note, and from his extended 
deliberations with the leading members of the 



88 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



tribe it was plain that his mission was of no less 
importance than his personality. When these 
deliberations closed it was announced to the tribe 
that a general treaty of peace had been effected 
between the two, previously hostile, parties which, 
among other things, granted the Lipans the privi- 
lege of crossing into Mexican territory to hunt and 
trade among the Mexicans. 

A further condition of the treaty was a promise 
on the part of the Lipans to release, and allow to 
return to their home with the old Mexican, the six 
Mexican boy captives they were then holding. 
When the boys were made aware of their release, 
on condition they so desired it, three expressed 
their willingness to return while three chose to 
remain with their Indian masters. 

Immediate preparations were made by the 
Lipans to move across the Rio Grande into Mexico. 
At this time they were about a hundred miles up 
the river from the little Mexican village of San 
Vacinte, and as the country adjacent to this town 
was their destination, their route lay down and 
parallel to the river. While traveling along this 
route one day, in company with an Indian boy, I 
came to a place where there were a number of 
shining trinkets lying about on the ground, and 
stooped down to pick them up w r hen the Indian 
boy stopped me telling me that they were the 
property of an Indian girl, who had died on a pre- 
vious move into that region, and had been burned 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 89 



with her clothing and trinkets on, and that the 
Indians would be mad if I molested them. The old 
Mexican, who was accompanying the tribe on their 
journey took sick one night, and the next morning 
when we awoke, he was dead. The Indians car- 
ried the body along with them some distance, and 
placed it in a standing position, with his back 
against a tree where it was securely tied and left. 

Our journey was continued with but brief 
stops until we reached a section thickly set with 
chaparel brush, where thousands of the small 
Mexican hogs could be seen on every hand. Here 
a longer halt was made in order to kill as many of 
these little animals as were needed for food for 
the remainder of the journey. The meat was 
dressed in the same manner as was the beef, and 
laid out in the sunshine to dry. 

It was while we were camped here that I wit- 
nessed a most remarkable snake-bite cure. . One 
of the horses of the party was bitten by a large 
rattler, and as soon as it was noticed several of 
the old squaws left the camp, returning in a short 
time with a handful of roots and herbs. These 
were carefully beaten and mixed into a poultice 
large enough for their purpose, and placed over 
the bite, and in a very short time the horse was 
entirely cured. 

Owing to the steep rough banks of the Rio 
Grande on the Mexican side of the river it is im- 
passable for miles and miles in this vicinity, con- 



90 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



sequently the tribe was forced to pass down the 
river some distance below the village to where a 
narrow, rough trail ascended the bluff on the oppo- 
site side of the river, the only point in the vicinity 
where it was possible for such a large party to 
effect a crossing. 

The Lipans selected a camping place some two 
miles from the village. That they had made a 
mistake in moving into this region soon became 
evident, from the scanty food supply the savages 
were able to obtain. Their herd of cattle was 
soon killed, all except those that had strayed or 
fallen into the hands of some thieving Mexican, 
and for days at a time all the food we were able to 
secure was a small amount of corn, parched in the 
embers and ashes of the fire. I soon became tired 
and sick of this food, and sought other means of 
obtaining food for myself. 

By this time I had learned to make bows and 
arrows almost, if not as well as the Indians. These 
I would take to the little town and trade the 
Mexican boys for the little "Torteas" or Mexican 
cakes which I found much more to my liking than 
the corn. 

As both Mexicans and Indians w T ere fond of 
gambling, there soon began a continual passage 
from the village to the camp. Both parties would 
drink "muscale," but the caution of the Mexicans 
who well knew the danger of allowing their savage 
neighbors to drink too freely of 1 Tire water/' 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



91 



prevented them drinking to any great extent, and 
but once while I was with them did they become 
anywise troublesome, or drunken. This time two 
Indian warriors, after drinking too freely, became 
quarrelsome with each other and were coming to 
blows when they were seized by more sober 
Indians and both tied down hand and foot 
until they recovered from their drunkenness when 

they were released. . 

Among the Mexicans who frequently visited 
the camp was an old Mexican who could speak 
English. He soon learned that there was a white 
boy among the savages and made it convenient to 
find me and talk with me. After several visits I 
became well acquainted with him and would seek 
his company every time he came to the camp. On 
one of these visits he asked me if I wanted to 
leave the Indians and go back to my people. I told 
him that I most assuredly did, that if he could by 
any means effect my escape from my captors that 
I should always appreciate it. I well knew ^ by 
this time that the Indians would not hear to letting 
me go if they could prevent it, hence I warned the 
Mexican not to mention my release to the Indians 
as it could do no good and would in all probability 
cause them to suspicion the Mexicans and guard 
me more closely than ever, which would make it 
more difficult for me to steal away from them and 
escape. 

At this time there was a white man, a Mr. 



92 



Hudson, working on a big canal for irrigation 
some distance down the Rio Grande on the Ameri- 
can side and, as a great number of laborers were 
necessary for the undertaking, he sent a trusty 
young Mexican then in his employ, to San Vicinte, 
as well as to the camp of the Lipans in order to 
secure more men for his work. While in the vil- 
lage he met the old Mexican, and during their con- 
versation my friend, the old Mexican, told him 
that the Lipans held me a captive, greatly against 
my will, and perhaps in exchanging men from the 
work to the village he might be of assistance to 
me in escaping. So, when the young Mexican vis- 
ited the camp he at once managed to find me and 
to enquire of me as to what I thought of laying a 
plan for my escape. 



CHAPTER XI 

Plans Laid for my Escape. Description of 
Mexican Village. Young Mexican Returns. 
I Escape to Hudson's. Incidents Con- 
nected With my Escape. 

I had been with the savages so long and, as 
mentioned elsewhere, I was quite sure that no 
plan could succeed, or result in my escape that 
was not well laid and carried out with cunning 



BlICKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



93 



equal, at least, to that of the savage. I was, 
therefore, not slow in informing the Mexican that 
while I was truly interested in my escape, in fact 
more than in anything else in the world, yet, 
unless a well founded plan could he laid, one 
where almost every chance would be in my favor, 
I would be afraid to attempt it. He entered 
freely into the discussion of a plan I thought 
would succeed, and after some time we decided on 
one. It must be understood that Mr. Hudson was 
back of this plan, for as soon as the young Mexi- 
can returned with the news that there was a 
white captive with the Indians, he at once sent 
the young Mexican back to the camp for the pur- 
pose of effecting my release if possible. Each 
must have a good horse, one of more than ordi- 
nary strength and endurance, as most of the dis- 
tance from the village to the home of Mr. Hud- 
son must be passed at a rapid speed. We thought 
best to make our final start from the village, and 
not from the camp, as we could do so without 
arousing the suspicions that our necessary prepa- 
rations, if discovered, would arouse among the 
Indians, and that by all means the flight should be 
commenced at night, just about the time the 
moon would rise. I informed the Mexican that 
the two horses needed could be secured from the 
drove of which I was the herder, and that it would 
be an easy matter for me to drive them for 
pasture in the direction of the village, and meet 



94 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



him at a point near the village and conduct him to 
the horses. 

So, late in the afternoon I started my horses 
in that direction, driving them slowly along as 
usual until I had them where I wished. I then 
left them here quietly grazing, and proceeded to 
meet my friend. I found him at the place agreed 
upon, and we were soon back at the drove, hunt- 
ing out the desired horses. I knew beforehand 
what horse I wanted for my own use and pro- 
ceeded to catch him at once. When this was done 
I caught one for the Mexican, a good horse, but 
from some cause he was not pleased with him. 
I caught some seven or eight head in all before 
the Mexican was satisfied. At length a large, 
strong horse was caught, which was almost a 
match for the one I had selected, when he con- 
sented to take him. W e now proceeded cautiously 
toward the village, where we were to complete 
our arrangements. 

The village of San Vacinte, was a typical 
Mexican town, the buildings for the most part 
being of stone, and surrounded by a strong, high, 
stone wall. This enclosure could be entered only 
at one point, through a large gate. From each 
side of this entrance, and extending inside the 
enclosure were two parallel rock walls of equal 
height, which were perhaps a hundred yards in 
length. At the further side of the village, and 
immediately in front of the entrance, was a large 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 95 



open-faced shed. Into this shed, which contained 
several horses already, we resolved to lead ours 
as soon as it was dark enough to admit us doing 
so without attracting unusual attention. This 
accomplished, we felt that the most critical part 
was over, it would be less dangerous passing out 
than in the enclosure. The Mexican had previ- 
ously secreted his saddle, but as I had no saddle 
of my own it was necessary to secure one before 
we could make our start. So the Mexican told me 
to remain with the horses at the shed, keeping on 
the shadow side of them until he could go and get 
a saddle for me. He was gone but a short time 
until he returned with the saddle. 

My horse was now saddled and I mounted, 
the Mexican riding bare back until he reached his 
saddle. The moon was now rising, and it was time 
we were going as the first part of the journey was 
over a rough, dangerous region that would require 
at least the light of the moon in order to pass it in 
safety. Before leaving the shed, in fact during 
most of the time we were inside the walls, we 
could see parties of the -Lipans strolling into the 
village. It was highly important that we wait 
until the entrance was clear of these savages as 
they might detect us and prevent our escape. We 
waited in patience until we found the entrance 
clear then we started out. Just as we reached 
the end of the walls already mentioned a party of 
savages, the largest we had yet noticed, entered 



96 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



the gate almost in front of us. For a moment I 
felt as if all our cherished plans had failed, for I 
felt sure we would be recognized, and I would be 
hastily returned to my master. The cunning of 
my young Mexican, which proved to be equal to 
that of the savages, came to our rescue. Without 
a word, he placed himself between me and the 
party of Indians, passing at once into the shadow 
formed by the wall. By this means we rode for- 
ward, the savages not stopping long enough to 
cast a glance at us as we passed. Feeling greatly 
relieved at the success of this ruse we passed on 
to where the Mexican had hid his saddle, which 
was soon placed on his horse and without further 
delay we pressed on. 

As the camp of the Indians lay in the direc- 
tion, and near the customary path to Mr. Hudson's 
place it was necessary for us to make a more cir- 
cuitous route, passing to the right and some dis- 
tance around the camp. Not a word was spoken 
by either of us for some time, but we never slack- 
ened our speed for a moment. The Mexican real- 
izing the value of time put forth every effort. 
After the camp had been passed in safety, we 
chose a more nearly straight course, near and par- 
allel to the river. Believing that he had reached 
a point where the river could be forded and the 
bluff on the opposite side ascended, he suddenly 
changed his course which soon brought us to the 
river. The river was easily forded, requiring but 



BlJCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 97 



a few moments, but when the opposite bank was 
reached we found it too steep to admit of climbing. 
Without a word, we both proceeded to dig down 
the bank with our knives and hands until our 
horses could climb it. We then mounted and 
were soon on the top of the bluff on the opposite 
side. The Mexican who had not ventured to utter 
a word since our flight turned to me and said, 
"Now let the Li pans follow if they will." He now 
informed me that while a great part of our task 
was performed, yet a long distance must be passed 
and a great portion of it before the moon disap- 
peared. 

Although I trusted much to the cunning and 
judgment of my faithful guide and friend, I could 
not help casting uneasy glances behind me and 
expected at almost every step to hear a party of 
our enemies dashing up in our rear. The endur- 
ance and metal of our faithful horses soon proved 
the wisdom of our choice, for they continued to 
bound forward at a fast gallop over the rough 
ground as if they were proof against fatigue. The 
Indian's horse, like himself, was trained to endur- 
ance. Just as the moon was about to pass below 
the horizon, the most dangerous point in our route 
was reached, it being a rough, mountain canyon 
through which a deep, rapidly flowing creek was 
winding its way toward the Rio Grande. Not 
perceiving anything unusual about the little stream, 
we plunged our horses off into it and we found to 



98 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



our dismay that it was greatly swolen by a heavy 
rain that had fallen near its source. Our horses, 
though forced down the stream some distance by 
the strength of the current, by their diiigent 
efforts, managed to reach the opposite bank, and 
landed us in safety on dry land. This being 
passed it required but a short time to reach our 
destination, the home of Mr. Hudson. 

This home was entirely underground, they 
having dug back into the bluff of a small creek, 
far enough to make room for several large rooms, 
with an opening for a chimney extending upward 
from the cave to the surface above. We were 
almost directly ovor this strange home before I 
was aware of the presence of a house. At a 
familiar whistle from the Mexican, Mr. Hudson 
came out, and when he caught a glimpse of us he 
exclaimed, ' 'Well, you have got him, have you!" 

It would be difficult, indeed, for me to express 
my feelings when I heard the voice of this white 
man, and for the first time I felt a momentary 
relief from the constant dread of being over- 
taken by my captors. We now dismounted, and 
after giving our horses the best possible attention, 
descended the bluff by means of a long ladder, to 
the door at its base. We were shown a pallet that 
had been previously prepared in the kitchen. Tired 
and exhausted from our long, rough ride, we 
threw ourselves down and were soon lost in sleep. 
When I awoke the next morning, the first 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



thing that caught my eye was a full plate of smok- 
ing biscuits on the corner of the table near me. 
This would have been tempting to any hungry boy 
but to me, who had eaten nothing for nearly two 
days and nights, it was especially tempting. I 
felt as if I could eat everyone before stopping. 

I was still dressed in my Indian garb, having 
my old dirty Indian blanket thrown over my 
shoulders, and although I felt, while with the 
savages, that I could gladly mingle with poeple of 
my own color as freely as before my capture, yet 
I experienced no little embarrassment when I 
found myself in their presence, especially Mrs. 
Hudson and her two pretty daughters. When I 
was presented to her and her daughters they 
requested me to take off the blanket and let them 
see how the Indians dressed, but to this I would 
not consent by any means. I must have been an 
odd looking creature to these refined people 
dressed as I was with my hair hanging well down 
on my shoulders, and my face all smeared with 
Indian paint. However this may be, they spared 
no effort to make me comfortable, and to cause 
me to feel welcome in their hospitable home. 

Although my native timidity prevented me 
from expressing my appreciation of their kind 
treatment, I was over-joyed at the very thought 
of being rescued from the savage life I had so 
lately been living and placed in this home of refine- 
ment. In my memory there will ever linger the 



100 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



tenderest and dearest recollections of these kind, 
good people, and I shall always appreciate in the 
highest degree possible, their kind and parental 
care for me during my stay with them, though 
little better in manners and dress than some dirty 
little Indian boy himself. 

As soon as breakfast was over and Mrs. Hud- 
son had prepared me a lunch, Mr. Hudson led me 
some distance down the river to a dense swamp of 
tall blood-weeds, and told me to remain here until 
he called to me, when I might come out of my 
place of concealment and come to the house. This 
precaution was taken by this good man lest the 
Lipans might find our trail and follow it to his 
home. In which event should I be found at the 
house, I would not only be recaptured or killed, 
but the entire family might be murdered as well. 
I busied myself here as a boy is wont to do until 
overcome by a desire for more sleep when I lay 
down and slept several hours. It was high noon 
before I started from my slumbers, perhaps from 
the effect of a dream that the Lipans were pursu- 
ing and in the act of seizing me. Although l«pe- 
some, I waited with an Indian's patience for the 
much desired call. It was late in the afternoon 
before I heard the call, when I at once proceeded 
to the house in safety. 

When I reached the door I was met by Mr. 
Hudson carrying in his hand a full suit of clothes 
that Mrs. Hudson had made for me during my 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



absence. He then told me that I could wash and 
bathe myself and be a clean boy again. I began 
in earnest, trying to remove the mixture of paint 
and dirt from my face, hands and body. When 
satisfied that I was clean and had changed my 
clothing, Mr. Hudson led me to a looking glass 
near by where I might have a view of myself. I 
was as much at a loss to recognize myself as would 
a person have been who had never seen me before. 
I also learned from my observations in the glass 
that I had made a poor job washing myself and so 
returned to complete my task. 

As Mr. Hudson feared a longer stay here, 
preparations were made for us to start on our 
journey early the next morning. Both Mr. Hud- 
son and the Mexican boy were to accompany me 
on my homeward journey. Our journey led us by 
way of Ft. Clark, which at this time was in pos- 
session of two companies of United States troops. 

Upon our arrival at the fort, it soon became 
known that an Indian captive was in camp, and 
soon all the soldiers gathered in their quarters 
waiting for me to enter. In company with Mr. 
Hudson I entered the officers' apartments where 
the officers, their wives and children had gathered 
to look at the captive, as they expressed it. After 
passing through this rather embarrassing scrutiny 
for some time, I was escorted to the soldiers' 
quarters where I was to become the object of 
interest to the hundreds of soldiers collected here, 



102 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



who for the most part had never seen an Indian, 
nor one of their captives, and it would require a 
large book to contain the many questions asked, 
and the many remarks made. I was so timid that 
I could not be induced to answer any of their 
questions. 

Ever since my capture, I had been tormented 
with lice which covered me from head to foot. 
Their constant presence on the Indians and every- 
thing about them made it impossible for me to rid 
myself of their tormenting presence so long as 1 
was in their company. My hair was long, reach- 
ing almost to my shoulders, which made it spe- 
cially adapted to their presence. Mr. Hudson 
observing that I was in almost constant misery on 
their account, consulted the surgeon of the com- 
pany about them. He at once applied a medicine 
that killed the lice. He proposed to Mr. Hudson 
to cut my hair, thinking that it would be easier to 
cure my head with the hair removed, but Mr. 
Hudson objected, saying that he wanted my peo- 
ple to see me just as I appeared when taken from 
the savages. 



CHAPTER XII 



Resume our Journey From Ft. Clark. Reach 
the Sabinal. I Trade Horses with a Mex- 
ican. Arrival at Home of my Sisters. 
Joyful Reception. 

The next morning our journey was resumed. As 
I now began to realize that I was truly on my way 
home and that I would soon be with my sisters 
again, I was truly over- joyed. Many times during 
my stay among the savages, I almost despaired of 
ever making my escape, and now the thought that 
I was well on my way home was a pleasant one 
indeed. Nothing of importance occurred during 
the remainder of our journey, more than would be 
expected during such a journey in the early days 
of Texas. No one traveling felt safe from the 
danger of an ambush by Indians, who were con- 
stantly on their raids of theft and plunder, and 
constant vigilance had to be maintained in order 
to avoid them. Both Mr. Hudson and the Mexican, 
however, were very well schooled in frontier life, 
and constantly avoided the most dangerous routes, 
and at no time were they the least careless or 
slack in their vigilance. 



104 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



When we reached the Sabinal, the little river 
from which I was taken a captive just eleven 
months and a few days before, I began to meet 
some of the people whom I had known previous to 
my capture. The Mexican who from the first 
wanted my horse, offered me many inducements 
to trade. I would not at first consent, but feeling 
under some obligations to him for his kindness to 
me I finally consented to trade with him. I had 
known for some time, in fact from the first time I 
saw the horse for which I traded that he had 
belonged to Kit Stanford, a neighbor of ours, liv- 
ing on the Sabinal, at the time of my capture. 
When we reached the home of Bill Adams, another 
neighbor on the Sabinal, he at once proposd to 
trade me another horse for mine, which I agreed 
to do. I learned at this place that my sisters 
were at the home of Cris Kelly, not far distant, 
and we pressed on to this place in the hope of 
finding them here, but when we arrived there we 
learned that they had just left the day before for 
Bandera. From here we went on to Judge Numan 
Patterson's, who for several years had been judge 
of Uvalde County. This kind, intelligent old gen- 
tleman proposed to draft a petition in behalf of 
Mr Hudson, to which all who wished might sign 
contributions. This was for the purpose of 
rewarding this good man for the trouble he had 
taken, and the danger he had incurred in securing 
mv release from the Lipans. Nearly every man 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 105 



we met from here on to Bandera signed ten dollars 
or a beef steer which was equivalent in value to 
ten dollars. More than fifty head of steers, besides 
a large amount of money were subscribed by these 
good people as a reward for his kindness. 

As a memorial to the goodness of those who 
paid for my rescue and as an expression of my 
unaffected gratitude, I herewith append the names 
of all, whom I can now recall, that contributed to 
my release: J. L. Snow, G. P. Snow, Gid Thomp- 
son, Aaron Angling, Bill Adams, John Ware, Bob 
Kinchelo, Cris Kelley, Leek Kelley, Joel Finley, 
John Finley, Mr. Vanpelt, Numan Patterson, Geo. 
Patterson, Capt. Watkins, J. L. Robison, Judge Dav 
enport, F. L. Hicks, Wm. Finley, Wrn. Davenport, 

The uneasiness Mr. Hudson felt for the safety 
of his family caused him to lose no time at any 
place if it could be avoided. We were now in less 
than a day's journey of my sisters, and every hour 
I became more anxious to reach them. I still felt 
timid and shy in the presence of white people and 
would shun their presence whenever possible. 

We reached Bandera late in the afternoon, 
passing the town by an unfrequented route, to the 
home of Mr. Davenport, at which place my sisters 
were living at the time. Mr. Davenport was liv- 
ing in the old rock house which stands on the west 
bank of the Medina River, fronting the old Mill 
crossing of the river in the western edge of Ban- 
dera town. On reaching the yard gate we were 



106 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



met by Mr. Davenport. After introducing himself 
to Mr. Davenport, Mr. Hudson asked him if he 
knew anyone in the party, to which he replied at 
first that he did not, but after a second glance at 
the party he exclaimed, "I believe that's Frank 
Buckelew!" 

When assured that he was right he said, 
4 Well Frank, we ail thought you were killed by 
the Indians. Morris told us that you were/' 

After expressing our thanks to Mr. Hudson 
for his kindness, Mr. Davenport and myself pro- 
ceeded to the house. Upon arriving there I 
learned that my sister was not at home at the 
time but was at a neighbors nearby. One of the 
first persons I met at the house was Grandma 
Davenport, who, when she learned that it was 
Frank and that he was still alive, could scarcely 
restrain herself; for she had always taken the 
greater part of the blame of my misfortune, say- 
ing that if she had not objected to me taking the 
gun with me on the evening of my capture, I 
might have been able to defend myself against 
the savages and not have been captured. 

Mr. Davenport in passing through town spread 
the news of my return, and soon a large crowd had 
gathered at the house to see me. As the numbers 
increased I became more and more timid and shy. 
At first I felt as if I could meet the white people 
with boldness and pleasure, but when the oppor- 
tunity presented itself I wanted, or felt as if I 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 107 



wanted, to ran away from them and hide. Being 
the center of attraction on this occasion, and the 
object of greatest curiosity to these people, most 
of whom were knowing to my capture or rather 
what they thought to be my murder, I little rel- 
ished the event and longed to be released from 
such an unpleasant position. 

By this time my sister had arrived at the yard 
gate, and when I heard her crying and rejoicing 
together, I could stand it no longer. I tore myself 
away from the crowd, ran into the house and 
under the bed. My sister who rushed in immedi- 
ately after me stooped down and drew me out 
from my place of concealment, and covered my 
sunburnt cheeks with kisses. She then held me at 
arms length, and looked at me, as she expressed 
it, "To be sure that it was Frank." 

Leaving me thus to enjoy the company and 
loving affections of a kind and loving sister, and 
the care and sympathy of kind friends for a short 
time, I shall proceed to relate the remaining inci- 
dents deemed necessary to complete our simple 
narrative. Before Mr. Hudson reached his home, 
in fact by the time he arrived at Ft Clark, 
rumors reached him that the Lipans had been 
informed of his connection with my release, and 
that they were preparing to make a raid upon his 
home and murder him and his family. Mr. Hud- 
son informed the commander at the fort of the 
intended raid of tha savages, and after due con- 



108 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



sideration it was thought best, for Mr. Hudson to 
quit the place at once as it would be difficult 
to resist an attack by any considerable number 
of the savages, In order to secure the safety of 
the family during their removal a company of sol- 
diers were sent along as an escort. 

After removing his family to a place of 
safety, Mr. Hudson returned to Bandera to secure 
that part of his reward given in beeves. By this 
time, however, most if not all those subscribing 
beeves had the ten dollars to pay in their steacl 
and so he received his reward in money. 

Custaleta and a party of his braves, in viola- 
tion of a treaty with the United States, crossed 
the Rio Grande, and after stealing a number of 
horses and killing their owners were preparing 
to recross the river when they were overtaken by 
a party of daring whites, who pursued them across 
the river, and in a running fight succeeded in 
killing a number of the warriors and wounding 
many others, among whom was Custaleta. ■ A 
party of whites searching for wounded Indians 
near the scene of the battle, found the body of the 
proud old chief who was then dead. 

I had every reason to believe from certain 
indications that the Lipans had learned of my 
whereabouts, and made several efforts to capture 
me. On one occasion my sister and I were at the 
pen milking the cows when all of a sudden the 
cattle came dashing up to the pen in great fright. 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



109 



They had scarcely become quiet until I could 
plainly smell the Indians. The reader may won- 
der at this statement, but it is a fact that one, 
accustomed to being with them, can distinguish 
their scent, which is between that of the skunk 
and an old beef hide, and when once he knows the 
scent he is seldom mistaken again in recognizing 
it. A young calf was left in the pen that night 
and the next morning on going to the pen we 
found that it had been killed by the savages, as 
one of their arrows was still lying in pen, Follow- 
ing the trail from the pen we found where they 
had built a small fire near the back of the field not 
far from the house, and had cooked the calf. 

On another occasion, in company with Jack 
Sheppard, we were crossing Moss Bottom, on the 
Medina, when I was again assured of the presence 
of Indians. I told Jack that I was quite sure that 
Indians were near, but he paid little attention to 
my warning, and we pressed on to the home of a 
neighbor where we expected to spend the night. 
After supper we led his horse some distance from 
the house where he hobbled and left him to feed 
during the night. The next morning we started 
out to find his horse, and after hunting some time 
we came to the place where he had left him, and 
we could see a horse not far away lying down. 
Jack remarked that there he was, and we started 
toward him. When we reached him we found 
that he was not Jack's horse, but that it was a 



110 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



much older horse than his, and that he had but 
one eye. The Indians had stabbed him to death. 
After a short search we found the hobbles which 
had been taken from his horse and could see moc- 
casin tracks on the ground near by. 



CHAPTER XIII 

My Life Subsequent to my Capture. My Mar- 
riage. Become a Minister. 

I deem a few words relative to my life after 
my capture a necessary conclusion to this story. 
As my lot was that common to all orphans, I was 
continually changing homes and friends which 
threw me in contact with many different people. 
Though not possible for me to mention the names 
of those early friends, yet their unfailing friend- 
ship during this early part of my life has forever 
endeared them to me. 

When about sixteen years of age, I went to 
live with the Sheppard family, whose home was 
then on the old Jack Ranch, some seven or eight 
miles north of Bandera. When the men of the 
place were absent, it was my duty to guard the 
women in case of an Indian attack, and as no oc- 
casion presented itself to test my fighting qualities 



BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE 



111 



while thus entrusted, I passed for a fairly good 
guard. 

On Aug. 4,. 1870, or when only eighteen years 
of age, I was married to Miss Nancy Witter; our 
marriage taking place in Bandera, Uncle Bob 
Stephens, father of former sheriff I. W. Stephens, 
of Bandera County, performing the ceremony. 
Three boys and three girls have blessed this union. 

Like all early settlers of Texas, I have shared 
the hardships, trials and dangers incident to fron- 
tier life. I have watched with unabated interest 
the mighty change wrought by the hand of indus- 
try upon the bosom of our great state; have seen 
the fertile forests, once teeming with wild game, 
give place to farms, and the crude log cabin with 
its puncheon floors to modern homes of ease and 
luxury; have watched the savage Redman of the 
plain give place to the cow boy, whose life was 
scarcely less wild and free than his savage prede- 
cessors, with his six shooter and lariat, and he in 
turn became absorbed by the gigantic waves of 
civilization that has incorporated itself in every 
nook and corner of Texas; have watched the 
clumsy old ox wagon give place to vehicles of 
modern times, and to the mighty "iron horse' ' 
that rushes to and fro in all parts of the state; and 
have seen the log-cabin hospitality and leisure 
gradually superseded by modern courtesy, com- 
mercial madness, and head-long rush, whose suc- 
cessor it would, indeed, be difficult to surmise. 



NOV 9 1911 

112 BUCKELEW, THE INDIAN CAPTIVE^ 




In conclusion, I cannot refrain acknowledging 
the unseen hand of Providence that has been with 
me all along my life and has shaped my destiny. 
For years before responding, I felt a Divine call 
to preach the Gospel of Jesus, and these impres- 
sions I could not rid myself of till I decided to 
obey. 

I was converted and joined the Methodist 
Church at the age of sixteen, and soon felt im- 
pressed to preach, but the lack of education made 
me timid and prevented me taking up the work. 
I lived in this condition of mind, feeling the call 
but resisting, for twenty-five years, and the bur- 
den became heavier until I resolved to obey, do 
the best I could in my feeble manner, and trust in 
God for the rest. I have now been preaching in 
the Methodist Church for eighteen years, traveling- 
over the western counties as a frontier preacher 
and missionary of the Gospel of Him who died to 
save the world. 



LEAp12 



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